Experimental study on friction coefficient and temperature rise of heavy-load grease-lubricated spherical plain bearings with surface texture

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to improve the tribological performance of grease-lubricated spherical plain bearings (SPBs) under heavy load, dimple-type textures were prepared by laser on the outer surface of the inner ring. The influence of roughness parameters of a textured surface on reducing friction coefficient and temperature rise was also explored. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a laser processing method to fabricate dimple-type textures. Three-dimensional roughness parameters were used to characterize the textured surfaces. The friction coefficients of five SPBs with surface texture and one original commercially available SPB without surface texture under different nominal loads were measured on a self-established test rig. The data of temperature rise were obtained by nine embedded thermal couples. Findings The results indicate that SPBs with textures generally exhibit lower friction coefficients than the original SPB without textures. The dimple depth has a significant influence on improving the tribological performance, which coincides with the analysis by surface roughness parameters. A textured surface with negative Ssk and high Vvc has the minimum temperature rise. Originality/value As it is too difficult to arrange sensors into heavy-load SPBs, there are few reports about the temperature characteristics. Through nine embedded thermal couples, the distribution of temperature rise on the inner ring of SPBs was given in this study. The positive effect of surface texture on reducing temperature rise and friction coefficient was verified, which is beneficial for the design of heavy-load SPBs.