An Experimental Study of Oil-Lubricated Journal Bearings Undergoing Oscillatory Motion

Abstract

A distinctive behavior of an oil-lubricated journal bearing undergoing oscillatory motion is the evolution of friction hysteresis as it traverses from boundary, to mixed, and to hydrodynamic regime. In this paper, the results of a series of experiments are reported to examine the effects of load, with or without oil, oil type, oil inlet temperature, and oscillating frequency on the friction hysteresis. Three types of hysteresis loop were found. The inertia of the lubricant flow contributes to the friction hysteresis.