• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.213-221
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• 2022

This paper presents performance measurements of pressure drop and leakage flow rate of test flat seals with asymmetric inclined grooves. This study aims to reveal the influence of groove shapes, often machined in radial film riding-face seals, in forming a hydrodynamic wedge on leakage performance. A test facility was developed, and test seals were manufactured to study the effects of the inlet pressure level, ratio of inlet to outlet pressure, seal groove length, and seal groove height on the steady-state pressure drop and leakage performance. A series of tests were conducted, and the test data were compared to the predictions from a simple and efficient mathematical model using a one-dimensional Reynolds equation. The test results revealed that an increase in the inlet pressure increased the pressure drop through the test seals. The leakage flow rate increased significantly as the inlet pressure and ratio of the inlet to outlet pressure increased. The groove shape also affects seal performance. An increase in the groove length and height resulted in an evident increase in the leakage flow rate. The simple model predictions underestimated the leakage flow rates but showed good agreement with the trend in the measurements for all test operating conditions and changes in the groove shape.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.134-140
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• 2017

With the increase in adoption of tilting pad journal bearings (TPJBs), various failure mechanisms related to TPJBs have been reported, of which pad wear is a frequently reported one. Pad wear causes change in geometry of the bearing, which can sometimes result in the failure of the entire system. The objective of this research is to investigate the influence of pad wear on the pad temperature, which is one of the widely used condition monitoring methods for TPJBs. For the theoretical investigation, thermohydrodynamic (THD) analysis was conducted by solving the generalized Reynolds equation and the 3D energy equation. The results of the analysis show that the temperature of the loaded pad increases while that of the unloaded pad decreases, when there is wear on the loaded pads. In addition, the minimum film thickness decreases with an increase in the wear depth. A validation test was conducted with a test rig, which mimics the axial turbine when a test rotor is supported by two TPJBs. The test bearing consists of five pads with a diameter of 60 mm, and a resistance temperature detector (RTD) is installed in the pad for temperature monitoring. The test was performed by replacing the two loaded pads with the worn pad. The test result for the TPJB with wear depth of $30{\mu}m$ show that the temperatures of the loaded pads are $8^{\circ}C$ higher and that of the unloaded pad is $2.5^{\circ}C$ lower than that of the normal TPJB. In addition, the predicted pad temperature shows good agreement with the measured pad temperatures.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2018

This paper describes a new test rig for identification of rotordynamic force coefficients of squeeze film dampers (SFDs) in automotive turbochargers (TCs). Prior studies have mainly concentrated on relatively large-sized SFDs used in aircraft engines, turbocompressors, and turbopumps. The main objective of the current study is to propose a test rig for identification of dynamic force coefficients of small-sized SFDs (a journal diameter of ~11 mm). The current test rig consists of a journal, a SFD cartridge, four support rods, an upper structure, a data acquisition (DAQ) system, and an oil circulation unit. The annular gaps between the journal outer surface and SFD cartridge inner surface create SFD film lands. The damper has two parallel film lands separated by a central groove, having an axial length and depth of 3 mm. Each film land has a length of 4 mm with a $40{\mu}m$ radial clearance. The static load and dynamic impact tests identify the structural characteristics (i.e., stiffness and natural frequency) of the journal and assembled test rig. The measurements show good agreement with predictions. The SFD performance data from this test rig will be used to develop innovative TC rotor systems with improved NVH and reliability characteristics incorporating advanced SFD technology.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2023

This study presents an experimental investigation of the effects of surface roughness on gas foil thrust bearing (GFTB) performance. A high-speed motor with the maximum speed of 80 krpm rotates a thrust runner and a pneumatic cylinder applies static loads to the test GFTB. When the motor speed increases and reaches a specific speed at which a hydrodynamic film pressure generated within the gap between the thrust runner and test GFTB is enough to support the applied static load, the thrust runner lifts off from the test GFTB and the friction mechanism changes from the boundary lubrication to the hydrodynamic lubrication. The experiment shows a series of lift-off test and load-carrying capacity test for two thrust runners with different surface roughnesses. For a constant static load of 15 N, thrust runner A with its lower surface roughness exhibits a higher start-up torque but lower lift-off torque than thrust runner B with a higher surface roughness. The load capacity test at a rotor speed of 60 krpm reveals that runner A results in a higher maximum load capacity than runner B. Runner A also shows a lower drag torque, friction coefficient, and bearing temperature than runner B at constant static loads. The results imply that maintaining a consistent surface roughness for a thrust runner may improve its static GFTB performance.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.256-261
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• 2023

This study is conducted to evaluate the durability of superhydrophobic surfaces, with a focus on two aspects: contact angle measurement and self-cleaning-performance analysis. Superhydrophobic copper and aluminum surfaces are fabricated using the immersion method and subjected to a rolling wear test, in which a 2 kg weight is placed on a rolling tester, under loaded conditions. To evaluate their durability, the contact angles of the specimens are measured for each cycle. In addition, the surface deformation of the specimens before and after the test is analyzed through SEM imaging and EDS mapping. The degradation of the self-cleaning performance is evaluated before and after the wear test. The results show that superhydrophobic aluminum is approximately 4.5 times more durable than superhydrophobic copper; the copper and aluminum specimens could endure 21,000 and 4,300 cycles of wear, respectively. The results of the self-cleaning test demonstrate that superhydrophobic aluminum is superior to superhydrophobic copper. After the wear test, the self-cleaning rates of the copper and aluminum specimens decrease to 72.7% and 83.4%, respectively. The relatively minor decrease in the self-cleaning rate of the aluminum specimen, despite the large number of wear cycles, confirms that the superhydrophobic aluminum specimen is more durable than its copper counterpart. This study is expected to aid in evaluating the durability of superhydrophobic surfaces in the future owing to the advantage of performing wear tests on superhydrophobic surfaces without damaging the surface coating.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.351-357
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• 2001

Tribological behavior of NAO type brake linings containing different volume ratios of graphite and Sb$_2$S$_3$ was investigated using a scale dynamometer. Three different test modes consisting of stop, drag, and fade tests were employed to elucidate the effect of the solid lubricants on brake performance. Results of this work showed that the two solid lubricants, graphite and Sb$_2$S$_3$, significantly affected friction characteristics at various braking situations. Compared with the brake linings containing a single lubricant, the brake linings containing both solid lubricants showed better friction stability due to the synergistic effect of the two disparate lubricants during the stop and the drag test. In particular, in the case of containing two solid lubricants, the brake lining with higher contents of graphite showed better fade resistance than others.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.272-277
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• 2004

This study deals with the friction and wear characteristics of C-N coated spur gear. The PSII apparatus was built and a SCM415 test piece and test gear with steel substrate was treated with carbon nitrogen by this apparatus. The composition and structure of the surface layer were analyzed and compared with that of PVD coated TiN layer. It was found that both of friction coefficient of C-N coating and TiN coating decreased with increasing load, however, C-N coating showed relatively lower friction coefficient than that of TiN coating. We was investigated the effect of C-N coating on hardness, friction and wear. The TiN coated gear showed a more serious friction phenomena than that of C-N coated gear. It was considered that coating of TiN, which was conducted at a vacuum chamber at about 500$^{\circ}C$, results in a tempering of base material that causes microstructural change, which in turn resulted in decreasing of hardness. The C-N coated gear and pinion had higher wear resistance that of TiN coated gear and pinion. C-N coating significantly improved the friction and wear resistance of the gear.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.173-177
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• 2012

We used contact resonance force microscopy (CRFM) technique to determine the quantitative elastic properties of multiple materials integrated on the sub micrometer scale. The CRFM approach measures the frequencies of an AFM cantilever's first two flexural resonances while in contact with a material. The plain strain modulus of an unknown or test material can be obtained by comparing the resonant spectrum of the test material to that of a reference material. In this study we examined the following bumping materials for flip chip by using copper electrode as a reference material: NiP, Solder (Sn-Au-Cu alloy) and under filled epoxy. Data were analyzed by conventional beam dynamics and contact dynamics. The results showed a good agreement (~15% difference) with corresponding values determined by nanoindentaion. These results provide insight into the use of CRFM methods to attain reliable and accurate measurements of elastic properties of materials on the nanoscale.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.285-291
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• 2009

In this work, durability characteristics of electrorheological (ER) fluid for damper application are experimentally investigated. ER fluid is prepared by using phosphorated starch particles and silicone oil. The field-dependent Bingham characteristics and response time for the proposed ER fluids are experimentally obtained. Experimental apparatus of durability test for ER fluid is established with cylindrical ER cylinder for mid-sized passenger vehicle. In order to evaluate the durability characteristics of ER fluid as a function of time, damping force and temperature variations are measured until one million cycles. After durability test, Bingham characteristics and response time of ER fluid are measured and compared to the initial properties. Microscopic pictures of ER fluid are taken to validate the changes of properties. The results indicate that the ER fluid can be commercially utilized in vehicle damper system with its durability performance. Moreover, the understanding of durability characteristics is essential to predict the service life of ER fluid as well as to design its applications.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.269-275
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• 2006

Rolling bearings are classified one of the most important machine elements. The various function of bearings are greatly influenced by grease, and higher performance of rolling bearing greases is required to improve bearing lubrication. Three urea/ether oil greases with different composition were synthesized to compare the performance of these greases. The typical grease physical properties were investigated, and life test of these greases was conducted by FE-9 grease life tester. The grease with higher content of the thickener showed higher performance. After these preliminary test, twelve greases were synthesized and evaluated the performance of dropping point and OIT value. And optimized conditions for grease synthesis were selected by SSRED (Six Sigma Robust Engineering Design) using dropping point and OIT value respectively. The optimized grease using OIT value showed longer grease life than that using dropping point. Two greases were synthesized following the optimum synthesis conditions by means of OIT value. Then grease life and other properties of these greases were investigated. These two greasaes showed longer grease life than typical urea/ether oil grease.