Influence of surface texturing on hydrodynamic friction in plane converging bearings - An experimental and numerical approach

• Published in: Tribology international 2019-06, Vol.134, p.190-204
• Main Authors: Rosenkranz, Andreas, Costa, Henara L., Profito, Francisco, Gachot, Carsten, Medina, Simon, Dini, Daniele
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bearings; Computer simulation; Convergence; Friction; Friction reduction; Hydrodynamic lubrication; Laser beam texturing; Laser induced fluorescence; Lubrication; Oil film thickness; Oil films; Surface texturing; Texture; Texturing; Thick films; Ultra-short pulse laser processing
• ISSN: 0301-679X; 1879-2464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2019.01.042

The frictional behaviour of plane converging bearings was experimentally and numerically studied for four texture geometries fabricated by ultra-short pulse laser texturing (single pocket, line-, cross- and dot-like texture) and convergence ratios under full-film lubrication in the presence of thick oil films (up to 100 μm). Regarding the experiments, small variations in the spread of results between different textures and a general improvement over the untextured reference can be observed. Numerical simulations help to clarify the expected variations and conditions under which these occur. For high convergences, the simulations demonstrated that textures are beneficial for friction reduction, regardless of load and relative texture's position. For low convergences, a significant friction reduction occurs for textures being located at the bearing's inlet. •Four surface textures were fabricated via ultra-short pulse laser processing.•Textures were experimentally and numerically studied under thick full-film lubrication.•For high convergence ratios, textures are beneficial regardless of load and position.•For low convergences, friction reduction for textures at the inlet was observed.