Novel Tribometer for Coated Self-Lubricating Spherical Plain Bearings in a Vacuum

Autor: Zhen Li, Zhinan Zhang, Qingsong Yong, Guozheng Ma, Aobo Wei, Haidou Wang
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: Lubricants, Vol 10, Iss 11, p 291 (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 10110291
2075-4442
DOI: 10.3390/lubricants10110291
Popis: Coated self-lubricating spherical plain bearings (SSPBs) are a fairly key component of the space-swing mechanism. To examine the operation status and tribological properties of coated SSPBs, a tribometer with a temperature control module in a vacuum condition was developed. The tribometer was mainly composed of a fixture system, reciprocating rotational motion system, environment control system, etc. First, the tribometer was verified with the self-made hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (H-DLC) SSPBs. The sensor signals indicated that the tribometer conformed to the design specifications. Then, the influence of friction heat on the tribological properties of H-DLC SSPBs was analyzed. The results showed that friction torque and temperature increased with the overall test time. Although the temperature had reached 48 °C, the frictional heat had little effect on the H-DLC SSPBs’ lifespans. The damage mechanism of H-DLC SSPBs was dominated by abrasive wear and fatigue wear in vacuum conditions.
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