Wear Mechanisms in Contacts Involving Slippers in Axial Piston Pumps: A Multi-Technical Analysis

摘要

Axial piston pumps are widely used in actuation as power conversion systems, especially in aeronautics. Even though they combine compactness and efficiency, wear of their parts reduces their lifespan. Studies on these pumps often consist in analytic or numerical analyses of lubricated contact between their components. Piston slippers are in tribological contacts with swashplate, pistons and slipper retainer. This study aims to understand wear mechanisms in the contacts involving this central component. An experimental multi-technical analysis of helicopter pumps parts after several functioning times is presented. To determine wear mechanisms, worn surfaces are observed with SEM. 3D surface roughness measurements provide surface topography. Contact conditions and consequently wear severity and mechanisms differ from one contact to another. Detached coarse carbides from the swashplate surface act as an abrading third-body against slippers and swashplate. Debris generated in this contact is carried by the fluid to the other contacts. Although pistons are made of the same steel as swashplate, there is no carbide detachment and wear comes from debris polluting the fluid. Slipper retainer is almost not worn, and debris causes abrasive wear and craters generation in the slippers.