Effect of Contamination on the Performance of Hydrodynamic Bearings

Abstract

This paper surveys three areas: experimental evaluations and operating experience relating to contaminant detrimental effects to the particle size and hardness; importance of film thickness; and self-propagating damage with high-chromium steel rotors and chlorine oil additives. Analytical thermal criteria are also presented for a particle size limit to avoid flash temperature scuffing failures from particles embedding in a bearing at a sliding surface contact.