An Experimental Investigation of Grease-Lubricated Journal Bearings

Abstract A series of experimental results is presented to explore the frictional characteristics of a grease-lubricated journal bearing. Load, grease type, and bushing material are varied to examine their effects on the friction coefficient. The results attest to the existence of distinctive regimes in grease lubrication akin to the oil-lubricated Stribeck curve. A mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication model for line contacts is employed to estimate the coefficient of friction in mixed lubrication regime. The simulation results capture the basic characteristics of mixed lubrication.