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Research Article | Open Access

Tribological evaluation of thermoplastic polyurethane-based bearing materials under water lubrication: Effect of load, sliding speed, and temperature

Shaoli JIANG1, Janet S. S. WONG2, Debashis PUHAN3, Tian YUAN2, Xiuqin BAI1, Chengqing YUAN1( )
State Key Laboratory of Maritime Technology and Safety, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430063, China
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
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Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Polymers are widely used in bearing applications. In the case of water-lubricated stern tube bearings, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based composites are used due to their excellent wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and tunable mechanical properties. Their tribological performance, however, depends on operating conditions. In this work, TPU was blended with carbon fiber, graphene platelet, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Friction tests of TPU based-composites against copper countersurface were carried out in water to mimic the actual operating conditions of the bearing. Most of the resulting contacts were in the boundary lubrication regime, in which friction was attributed to both contact mechanics of asperities as well as water lubrication. Our results show that the viscoelasticity of TPU has a considerable impact on its tribological performance. Water lubrication at 50 °C promotes the softening of polymer surface material during sliding, resulting in higher fluctuation in the coefficient of friction and wear loss. This is attributed to the reduced thermomechanical properties. In addition, Schallamach waviness is observed on worn surface. The tribological properties of TPU are significantly improved by the inclusion of carbon fiber, graphene platelet, and UHMWPE. The formation of graphene transfer-layers and UHMWPE transfer film reduces friction and wear loss, while the inclusion of carbon fiber enhances wear resistance due to improved mechanical properties and load bearing capacity.

Keywords

frictionthermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)water-lubricated bearingsgraphene plateletcarbon fibersultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)

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Friction
Volume 12 Issue 8,
August 2024
Pages 1801-1815
DOI: 10.1007/s40544-023-0856-1
Cite this article:
JIANG S, WONG JSS, PUHAN D, et al. Tribological evaluation of thermoplastic polyurethane-based bearing materials under water lubrication: Effect of load, sliding speed, and temperature. Friction, 2024, 12(8): 1801-1815. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-023-0856-1

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Received: 15 August 2023
Revised: 24 October 2023
Accepted: 07 December 2023
Published: 25 May 2024
© The author(s) 2023.

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