Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Study on the characterisation of the PTFE transfer film and the dimensional designing of surface texturing in a dry-lubricated bearing system

Ding, Liang; Axinte, Dragos; Butler-Smith, Paul; Abdelhafeez, Ali

Study on the characterisation of the PTFE transfer film and the dimensional designing of surface texturing in a dry-lubricated bearing system Thumbnail


Authors

Liang Ding

DRAGOS AXINTE dragos.axinte@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Manufacturing Engineering

Paul Butler-Smith

Ali Abdelhafeez



Abstract

The ability of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to form tribo-film in dry sliding condition makes it a popular liner material for self-maintenance bearings, such as those in the helicopter main and tail rotors. Nowadays, hard fillers or reinforcing-fibres are added to form the PTFE composite with enhanced strength and wear resistance; however, this also leads to increasing possibility of wear tracks on counter-surface and therefore more difficulty in observing and characterising the transfer film. In this paper, a surface analysis method based on using SEM analysis, supplemented with a Time-of-flight Secondary-ion mass spectrometry (Tof-SIMS) techniques for calibration was developed to give a comprehensive view of the transfer film formation on bearing steel surfaces. Previous challenges in transfer film identification and characterisation were also pinpointed. A series of laser surface textures (dimples), designed for improving the tribological performance of the bearing were tested, and the effects on transfer film formation have been evaluated by the surface analysis method. It is found that the depth of the dimples should match with the thickness of the transfer film to achieve a benefiting effect of the film formation, while the diameter and the coverage of the textures needs to be relatively small to avoid a high level of abrasion.

Citation

Ding, L., Axinte, D., Butler-Smith, P., & Abdelhafeez, A. (2020). Study on the characterisation of the PTFE transfer film and the dimensional designing of surface texturing in a dry-lubricated bearing system. Wear, 448-449, Article 203238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2020.203238

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 11, 2020
Online Publication Date Feb 17, 2020
Publication Date May 15, 2020
Deposit Date Feb 24, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Wear
Print ISSN 0043-1648
Electronic ISSN 1873-2577
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 448-449
Article Number 203238
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2020.203238
Keywords PTFE composite; Transfer film; Surface analysis; Surface texturing
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4027322
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043164819317181
Additional Information This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Study on the characterisation of the PTFE transfer film and the dimensional designing of surface texturing in a dry-lubricated bearing system; Journal Title: Wear; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2020.203238; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Files




You might also like



Downloadable Citations