Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Film thickness in a grease-lubricated bearing is a critical bearing operation parameter, yet there are no models available to predict it. Our recent articles demonstrated that the relative film thickness (hg/hff) can be predicted using the base oil viscosity (η), half contact width (b), and linear speed (u) for any axially loaded deep groove ball bearing. In this article, we extend this study to include radial loads and combined—axial and radial—loads. Radial load application causes an additional replenishment in the unloaded zone, introducing a new length variable zr and surface tension σ. A universal power-law relationship between the relative film thickness in a deep groove ball bearing and the nondimensional number (ηbu)/(zrσ) for all loading and grease lubrication conditions is presented for use in predicting film thickness.
Source: Tribology Transactions
Authors: Pramod Shetty, Robert Jan Meijer, Jude A. Osara, Rihard Pasaribu, Piet M. Lugt
Institutions: University of Twente, Shell (Netherlands), SKF (Netherlands)
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Funder: Shell
OpenAlex ID: W4402272417