Effect of compound pit textures on the friction and wear of thrust cylindrical roller bearings under starved lubrication

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the effect of compound pit textures on the tribological properties of thrust cylindrical roller bearings (TCRBs) using several parameters, such as compound type, pit diameter, pit depth and pit area density. Design/methodology/approachThe surface texture parameters of the shaft washer (WS) raceway include pit diameter (D; 100, 300 and 500 mu m), pit depth (H; 10 and 20 mu m) and pit area density (S; 10%, 13% and 18%). Pits were produced on the WS of the TCRBs using laser marking equipment. The friction and wear performances of compound pit-textured TCRBs under starved lubrication conditions are studied using a friction and wear test rig. The influence mechanisms of the compound pit texture on the friction and wear properties of TCRBs are discussed through real tests and discussions. FindingsCompared with nontextured bearings, the average coefficient of friction (ACOFs) and wear loss of TCRBs with single/compound pit textures are reduced when rotating under starved lubrication. D has the greatest effect on the COFs curve. When D = 300 mu m, H = 10 mu m and S = 10%, the ACOF and wear loss are the lowest, that is, 0.0207 and 3.38 mg, respectively. Under the same lubrication conditions, compared with the nontextured bearing group, the COF and wear loss are reduced by 41.4 and 59.6%, respectively. Originality/valueThis study provides a useful reference for the raceways of textured TCRBs.

Automated summary

This study investigates the impact of compound pit textures on the tribological properties of thrust cylindrical roller bearings (TCRBs). Various parameters, including compound type, pit diameter, pit depth, and pit area density, are considered. Laser marking equipment is used to produce pits on the shaft washer (WS) raceway, and a friction and wear test rig is used to analyze the friction and wear performances of the textured TCRBs. The results show that TCRBs with compound pit textures exhibit lower average coefficient of friction and wear loss compared to non-textured bearings under starved lubrication conditions.