The Effect of Macro-Roughness on the Performance of Parallel Thrust Bearings

Abstract

This work was initiated to investigate the effect of surface macro-roughness on the performance of the parallel-faces thrust bearing and, at the same time, to find a rational explanation of its behaviour. The problem is treated both theoretically and experimentally and the main result arrived at indicates that macro-roughness is a prime factor in the behaviour of the bearing, as it provides passages which both feed the surfaces with the lubricant and allow the formation of hydrodynamic films so that the performance corresponds closer to that for film lubrication. Further work on micro-roughness is proceeding.