Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation of the Large-Scale Testing of Polymeric Composite Journal Bearings: Two-Dimensional Modeling and Validation

摘要

The self-lubricating properties of some polymeric materials make them very valuable in bearing applications, where the lubrication is difficult or impossible. Composite bearings combine the self-lubricating properties of polymeric materials with better mechanical and thermal properties of the fibers. At present, there are few studies about these bearings and their design is mainly based on manufacturers' experiences. This study includes an experimental and numerical study of the large-scale testing of fiber-reinforced polymeric composite bearings. In the first part of this article, a new tribological test setup for large composite bearings is demonstrated. Besides, a two-dimensional finite-element model is developed in order to study the stress distribution in the composite bearing and kinematics of the test setup. A mixed Lagrangian-Eulerian formulation is used to simulate the rotation of the shaft and the contact between the composite bearing and the shaft. Simulation results correspond closely to the experimental data, and provide careful investigation of the stress distribution in the bearing. In the second part of this article, three-dimensional quasi-static and two-dimensional dynamic models are studied.