Effects of Mechanical Properties of Kevlar/PTFE Fabric-Reinforced Self-Lubricating Liners on Performance of Self-Lubricating Spherical Plain Bearings

Abstract

The effects of the mechanical properties of Kevlar/PTFE fabric-reinforced polymer-based self-lubricating liners on the performance of the self-lubricating spherical plain bearings were investigated to improve the evaluation technology of the performance of the self-lubricating liners and the bearings. The mechanical experiments were carried out to study the mechanical properties of the liners with the use of Instron 5848 microtester. Based on these experimental data, several material models of liners were used to carry out the curve fitting, and the 3-terms Ogden form was chosen as an optimum model for the FEM numerical simulation of bearings with and without liners under the conditions of variable loads. These results show that: the mechanical properties of the liners has an important influence on the performance of the bearings; Owing to the elastic properties of the liners, the contact area is increased, and the contact stress between sliding faces are decreased, which improve the load capacity and service life of the bearings; An optimum elastic property of the liners is existed for the performance of the spherical plain bearings. The present study may provide evidence for the improvement of the evaluation technology of the liners and bearings, the further understanding of the role of the liners in the bearings, and the design of the fabric self-lubricating liners.