On the Rheodynamics of Powder Lubricated Journal Bearing: Theory and Experiment

Heshmat, H. and Heshmat, C.A. “On the Rheodynamics of Powder Lubricated Journal Bearing: Theory and Experiment,” 25th Leeds-Lyon Tribology Symposium, September 8-11, 1998 Elsevier Science B.V., Editor: D. Dowson, (1999) Tribology Series, Volume 36, pp. 537-544.

This paper describes experimental and theoretical development and treatment of solid-powder-lubricated journal bearings. The effect of slide flow has been included in the analysis to elucidate suitable of MoS2, WS2 and TiO2 as powder lubricants for high-speed, extreme-environment multi-pad journal bearings. Solid lubricants such as these have been widely used and the preference of one over the other has been the controversial subject of numerous papers. At first glance, some dry powders chosen for lubrication may appear to be attractive solid lubricants because they exhibit low values of friction coefficients. For example, experimental results from a conventional pin-on-disk apparatus at low speeds have suggested tungsten disulfide, WS2 , as a superior lubricant to molybdenum disulfide, MoS2, because it maintains a lower coefficient of friction for a higher temperature capability [8]. Irrespective of the value of coefficient of friction, high or low, it is essential that a lubricant possess the ability to diminish surface wear and to provide a mechanism of heat dissipation in the contact region vis-a-vis side flow. It is the intent of this paper to provide unorthodoxial criteria through the rheodynamics of third body, as a guide for the selection of solid lubricants, as well as elucidate behavior of third body with respect to tribosurfaces.