The present paper is the first of a series dealing with the experimental characterization of the coating materials’ influence on the hydrodynamic behavior of thrust bearings. This paper presents a unique set of experimental data characterizing the influence of material coating on hydrodynamic oil films. The data are presented for extensive experimental conditions in which the load, the rotation speed, and the temperature were systematically varied. Seven main parameters characterizing the oil film were recorded. One metallic coating (Babbitt) and two Teflon-based coatings (polytetrafluoroethylene and polyperfluoroalkoxyethylene) were tested. It was clearly evidenced that the nature of the material strongly influences the hydrodynamic behavior. As expected in the hydroelastic regime, coatings with different properties (i.e., metals versus polymers) exhibit strong differences in their hydrodynamic behavior. The originality of the paper lies, however, in that the two polymers showed very different behavior.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
antimony alloys, lead alloys, metallic thin films, polymer films, machine bearings, wear resistant coatings, liquid films, hydrodynamics, wear testing
Topics:
Babbitt metal, Coatings, Temperature, Thrust bearings, Stress, Experimental characterization, Polymers, Bearings
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