Effect of sliding speed on the thermohydrodynamic performance of partially slip-textured slider bearings

Abstract

The present study evaluates the combined use of micro-textures and ‘wettability gradient’ on the thermohydrodynamic performance of inclined slider bearings. Mass conserving Elrod cavitation model with slip boundary condition has been used to investigate the dimensionless static performance parameters at different convergence ratios and sliding speeds. The most effective location of the wettability gradient and textures has been considered in the present work. It has been observed that with the increase in sliding speed, the load carrying capacity, friction force and volumetric inflow rate of the slip-textured bearings were improved. The improvements were more pronounced at smaller convergence ratios. Moreover, the slip-textured bearings exhibited significant improvement in the average pressure and temperature of the lubricant. However, at higher sliding speeds, a substantial increase in friction force and average lubricant temperature was noticed. The square textured slip bearing exhibited maximum improvements towards various performance parameters of the three considered texture shapes.