Fretting tribological performance of DLC, TiAlN and DLC/TiAlN coatings deposited on carburized 18CrNi4A steel

To improve the fretting wear performance of 18CrNi4A steel, DLC, TiAlN and DLC/TiAlN coatings were deposited on the surface of carburized 18CrNi4A steel, respectively. The microstructure morphologies, chemical compositions, and mechanical properties of these coatings were evaluated. The fretting tribological properties of pad/flat contact pairs for carburized 18CrNi4A steel, DLC, TiAlN and DLC/TiAlN coatings were investigated in different lubricant environments including dry sliding and #RIPP 7254 aviation grease. The results show that DLC, TiAlN and DLC/TiAlN coatings deposited on the carburized 18CrNi4A steel surface can improve surface roughness, hardness, fracture toughness and resistance to plastic deformation. DLC, TiAlN and DLC/TiAlN coatings deposited on the surface of carburized 18CrNi4A steel can make the surface of the substrate have excellent fretting wear properties. DLC and DLC/TiAlN coatings have lower coefficient of friction and better fretting wear resistance than TiAlN coatings in dry sliding condition, and DLC/TiAlN coatings have the lowest wear rate in #RIPP 7254 grease lubrication condition. In addition, the wear mechanisms of carburized 18CrNi4A steel, DLC, TiAlN and DLC/TiAlN coatings in dry sliding and #RIPP 7254 aviation grease conditions were analyzed.

Tribological properties of rock-bit journal bearings tribo-pair with micro-dimples under contaminated grease lubrication

The failure of bit bearings is one of the main factors that restrict the life of a bit, and studies revealed that sealing and adhesive wear failure are common failure modes of bit bearings. To study the adaptability of the optimal textures to anti-wear and anti-friction performance of an 8 1/2” rock bit journal bearingunder sealing leakage conditions, the rheological properties of grease in the range of 0%–50% of the water-based drilling fluid volume in the compound lithium-based grease (rock bit grease) were tested. For the cylindrical dimples (diameter: 300 μm; depth: 40 μm, area ratio: 5%) and elliptical dimples (major and minor axis of 720 and 360 μm, respectively; depth: 40 μm, area ratio: 10%), the experimental study on the wear resistance of the optimized texture tribo-pairs was carried out as the grease invaded different drilling fluid contents based on the pin-disk pair. Results showed that the drilling fluid volume in the rock bit grease significantly affected the rheological properties of the grease. Furthermore, the cylindrical and elliptical dimples still had good anti-wear and anti-friction effects. Especially when the drilling fluid volume ratios in the grease reached 50%, the elliptical dimples can still reduce the friction coefficient and wear amount of the pair by 19.88% and 56.99%, respectively. With the increase of drilling fluid invasion into grease, the wear morphology of the un-textured tribo-pairs showed that the wear form changed from abrasive to adhesive wear, while that of the preferred textured tribo-pairs indicated slight abrasive wear.

Microstructure, tribological performances, and wear mechanisms of laser-cladded TiC-reinforced NiMo coatings under grease-lubrication condition

NiMo-5%TiC, NiMo-15%TiC, and NiMo-25%TiC coatings were prepared on GCr15 steel by laser cladding (LC). The microstructure and the phases of the obtained coatings were analyzed using ultra-depth-of-field microscopy (UDFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. A ball-on-disk wear test was used to analyze the friction-wear performance of the substrate and the NiMo-TiC coatings under grease-lubrication condition. The results show that the grain shape of NiMo-TiC coatings is dendritic. The wear resistance of NiMo-TiC coatings is improved by the addition of TiC, and the depths of the worn tracks on the substrate and on the NiMo-5%TiC, NiMo-15%TiC, and NiMo-25%TiC coatings are 4.183 μm, 2.164 μm, 1.882 μm, and 1.246 μm, respectively, and the corresponding wear rates are 72.25 μm3/s/N, 32.00 μm3/s/N, 18.10 μm3/s/N, and 7.99 μm3/s/N, respectively; this shows that the NiMo-25%TiC coating has the highest wear resistance among the three kinds of coatings. The wear mechanism of NiMo-TiC coatings is abrasive wear, and the addition of TiC plays a role in resisting wear during the friction process.

Grease Lubrication: Formulation Effects on Tribological Performance

Grease lubrication performance prediction is challenging. Only recently that empirical equations to predict grease film thickness for prevailing rolling conditions under fully flooded lubrication taking into account thickener properties and content for low, moderate, and high speeds were developed. At starved lubrication, although new insights about the supply and loss mechanisms that govern film formation have been published, contact replenishment and, consequently, film thickness predictions for long-term operation are still not available. Prediction of components efficiency requires film thickness values and properties, including film’s molecular structure, which makes it even more challenging. When it comes to prevailing sliding conditions, the literature is scarce and most of the knowledge developed for prevailing rolling conditions is not applicable. During the sliding of the contacting bodies, boundary and mixed lubrication regimes are expected. In this situation, the tribological response is primarily defined by grease thickener and additives physicochemical interaction with the surface. This complexity leads many researchers to seek simpler relationships between grease formulation and properties with its performance. This review aims to present the state-of-art on grease lubrication and update some of these relationships.

Grease composition influence on friction & starvation

Nowadays, grease lubrication is frequently used in rolling element applications such as bearings or constant velocity joints. The advantage of grease is to supply lubrication to the application without leaking thanks to its consistency. Nevertheless, starvation can occur leading to damage such as scuffing. In the present study, starvation is analyzed using the Starvation Degree parameter through tests with different operating conditions and different types of greases.

Effect of surface micro-groove texture on lubrication performance of tripod universal coupling

Purpose This study aims to study the effect of micro-groove texture geometric parameters on the lubrication characteristics of the tripod universal coupling. Design/methodology/approach The Navier–Stokes equation was used to analyse the influence of micro-groove geometric parameters on the coupling’s lubrication performance. Further, Kriging approximate model and neighborhood cultivation genetic algorithm (NCGA) were used to optimise the micro-groove geometric parameters and improve the coupling’s lubrication performance. Findings The results show that as the micro-groove depth and width increase, respectively, the oil film-bearing capacity first increases and then decreases; on the contrary, the friction coefficient first decreases and then increases. With the increase of the micro-groove inclination angle, the bearing capacity of the oil film first increases and then remains unchanged. At the same time, the friction coefficient first decreases and then increases slightly. The lubricating performance of the optimised coupling is significantly improved: the optimised oil film-bearing capacity increases by 12.5%, the friction coefficient reduces by 14% and the maximum oil film pressure increases by 4.3%. Originality/value At present, the grease lubrication performance of the micro-groove textured tripod universal coupling has not been studied. The micro-groove parameters are optimised, and the coupling’s lubrication performance is improved greatly by the Kriging model and NCGA algorithm. It is of great significance to extend the coupling’s fatigue life.