Study of Wear Resistance of a Radial Bearing Covered by a Polymer Coating with an Axial Groove on a Nonstandard Base Surface

This paper is devoted to study of increasing the wear resistance of a radial plain bearing. The operation of a bearing is considered in the hydrodynamic mode by means of application of an antifriction polymer composite coating with an axial groove and the micropolar properties on a nonstandard bearing surface adapted to the friction conditions of a bearing bush. The effect of pressure and temperature in the turbulent friction mode on the rheological properties of the lubricant is taken into account. Based on the equation for the micropolar fluid flow in a “thin layer” as well as on the dependence of the micropolar lubricant on the pressure and temperature and on the continuity equation, a self-similar solution has been found taking into account the axial groove on the surface of a bearing bush and without taking into account the axial groove. As a result, the velocity and pressure fields in the axial groove and on the surface of a polymer antifriction composite coating have been determined as has the load capacity and friction force, which make it possible to increase the load capacity, reduce the friction coefficient (increase wear resistance), and also increase the duration of the hydrodynamic mode. The results of numerical analysis of theoretical models and experimental evaluation of the suggested design are presented to verify and confirm the efficiency of the models obtained.