Study on the tribological and tribo-vibration characteristics of laser textured tapered roller bearings under full oil lubrication

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the influence of various laser texture parameters (diameter of pit, depth of pit and area density) on the tribological and tribo-vibration characteristics of tapered roller bearings (TRBs) under full oil lubricate conditions. Design/methodology/approach The laser surface texture parameters include: the diameter of pit ( D : 60 µm, 100 µm, 200 µm), the depth of pit ( H : 5 µm, 10 µm, 20 µm) and the area density ( S : 6%, 12%, 24%). The outer raceway used laser marking device to prepare many regular pits. The tribological and tribo-vibration characteristics of pitting laser textured TRBs under full oil lubrication were studied by using the MMX-1A universal wear tester machine and vibration testing equipment. Through experiment and analysis, the effects of raceway pitting textures on tribological and tribo-vibration noise performance of TRBs were summarized. Findings When pit-textured TRBs operate under full oil, compared with the non-textured bearings, the average coefficient of friction and wear amount are significantly reduced. When D = 100 µm, H = 10 µm, S = 12%, average coefficient of friction = 0.00195 and wear amount = 0.12 mg, they are all at their minimum values. Compared to the same condition of non-textured groups, the coefficient of friction decreases by 66.6%, and the wear amount decreases by 79.3%. The energy from time-frequency and power spectrum analyses is mainly concentrated at high frequencies, with the signal power of pitting textured groups being lower than non-textured when the Y-direction is around 3600 Hz. Originality/value The experimental work can provide a reference for the investigation on the pitting textured TRBs. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-09-2024-0357/