Surface Texturing Technique Based on Ultrasonic Turning for Improving Tribological Properties

Tribological properties such as lubrication, friction, and wear resistance greatly affect machine operation efficiency, performance, and service life. Surface texturing methods such as scraping can be used to improve these properties. Scraping creates many small depressions on the target surface. These depressions, which are evenly distributed, function as oil holes and thus improve lubrication performance. This paper describes a surface texturing technique based on ultrasonic vibration-assisted turning (UVAT) that simultaneously improves tribological properties and machinability. In UVAT, the cutting tool is oscillated mainly in the principal direction. Vibration in the radial direction, which is induced by Poisson deformation, periodically digs up or pushes the workpiece surface in the radial direction, creating a textured surface. A surface subjected to UVAT has periodic depressions along the workpiece rotation direction. The texturing rate of UVAT is up to 6700 mm2/min, which is higher than that of manual scraping. To evaluate the tribological performance of a surface textured by UVAT, the friction coefficient between a stainless steel pin and the surface was measured under oil dipping conditions. The results of friction experiments show that the friction coefficient of the UVAT-treated surface and its fluctuation were lower than those of a conventional turned surface. The UVAT-treated surface had stable friction properties.

A study on diesel engine crankshaft bearing failure analysis with consideration of bearing lubrication

Purpose The edge of diesel engine crankshaft main bearing is more likely to fail in its real working condition. This paper aims to study the bearing failure mechanism by finding the relationship between bearing lubrication characteristics and its working condition. Design/methodology/approach This work builds the mixed lubrication model of crankshaft bearing to analyze the cause of bearing abnormal wear, and the finite difference method was used to solving the average Reynolds equation. During the analysis, journal misaligned angle, external load and roughness are considered. Findings The result shows that the wear of the diesel engine crankshaft bearing happens in engine startup phase and the bottom of the bearing are more prone to be excessively worn. Under the influence of journal misalignment, bearing asperity contact load and speed range of mixed lubrication will increase markedly. The edge of the bearing will be excessively worn. The effect of misalignment on bearing lubrication performance varies under different shaft rotation speed. Originality/value The former research studies on crankshaft bearing either just focused on its lubrication characteristics or interested in its failure types (wear, adhere, cavitation). This paper studies the relationship between bearing failure mechanism and lubrication performance.

Study on Coating Mechanism and Properties of Die CrN+DLC Layer

This paper introduces the principle of PACVD coating technology, technical characteristics, equipment composition and material characteristics of CrN+DLC. Taking H13 steel as the research object, its surface was treated with CrN+DLC. The microstructure, bonding state and hardness of the interface were studied by means of metallography, SEM, hardness and component distribution of the surface layer. The anti-crack ability and grade of DLC layer were analyzed by studying the shape of crack distribution with Rockwell hardness indentation, and the high quality layer with crack grade of HF1 was obtained. With the dual properties of diamond and graphite of DLC, it can make the die surface have lower friction coefficient, higher hardness, higher impact toughness, better solid lubrication performance and higher corrosion resistance. Surface DLC coating technology provides a new solution to improve the performance of the die.

Ion energy-induced nanoclustering structure in a-C:H film for achieving robust superlubricity in vacuum

Hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films are capable of providing excellent superlubricating properties, which have great potential serving as self-lubricating protective layer for mechanical systems in extreme working conditions. However, it is still a huge challenge to develop a-C:H films capable of achieving robust superlubricity state in vacuum. The main obstacle derives from the lack of knowledge on the influencing mechanism of deposition parameters on the films bonding structure and its relation to their self-lubrication performance. Aiming at finding the optimized deposition energy and revealing its influencing mechanism on superlubricity, a series of highly-hydrogenated a-C:H films were synthesized with appropriate ion energy, and systematic tribological experiments and structural characterization were conducted. The results highlight the pivotal role of ion energy on film composition, nanoclustering structure, and bonding state, which determine mechanical properties of highly-hydrogenated a-C:H films and surface passivation ability and hence their superlubricity performance in vacuum. The optimized superlubricity performance with the lowest friction coefficient of 0.006 coupled with the lowest wear rate emerges when the carbon ion energy is just beyond the penetration threshold of subplantation. The combined growth process of surface chemisorption and subsurface implantation is the key for a-C:H films to acquire stiff nanoclustering network and high volume of hydrogen incorporation, which enables a robust near-frictionless sliding surface. These findings can provide a guidance towards a more effective manipulation of self-lubricating a-C:H films for space application.