Effect of vein-bionic surface textures on the tribological behavior of cylindrical roller thrust bearing under starved lubrication

Abstract To reveal the effect of vein-bionic surface textures on the tribological behavior of cylindrical roller thrust bearings (CRTBs) under starved lubrication, six kinds of leaves (Forsythia, Clausena lansiu, Ash, Purple leaf plum, Pipal and Apricot) were chose and their simplified patterns were fabricated on the shaft washers of CRTBs using laser surface texturing. The coefficients of friction (COFs) of vein-bionic textured bearings were measured using a vertical universal wear test rig. Their mass losses and worn surfaces were also characterized. The results show that: There is important influence of the symmetry of vein-bionic textures and the number of secondary veins on the friction and wear properties of vein-bionic textured CRTBs under starved lubrication. Compared to the smooth group, the COFs and mass losses of vein-bionic textured bearings are all reduced. Among all groups, the tribological performance of bearings with a pattern inspired from Ash is the best. Its wear loss is reduced by 16.23% and its COF is reduced by 15.79%. This work would provide a valuable reference for the raceway design and optimization of roller rolling element bearings.