Simulation and Experimental Research on the Failure of Marine Sliding Bearings

Abstract

The performance of the marine sliding bearing affects the reliability of marine engineering directly. Nevertheless, sliding bearings are subjected to frictional forces and problems, such as wear and fatigue, that occur after long-term use, which leads to failure. In this study, a sliding bearing friction calculation program is developed using the Fortran language, which calculates the friction force of the bearing under different working conditions. Simultaneously, a component-level sliding bearing tribology testing machine is designed, which predicts the wear failure and explores the wear mechanism for different types of sliding bearings. The model calculation results are in good agreement with the experimental data, which verifies the model’s correctness. Through the wear test, the wear mechanism of the sliding bearing is mainly scratches, and the electroplating layer in the groove is squeezed out of it and attached to the surface of the aluminum alloy to reduce friction. The model and the testing machine provide theoretical guidance for the friction durability of sliding bearings used in marine engineering and guarantee the reliability of marine engineering.