Abstract:

ESDU 96015 describes a program for either the selection of a material or the analysis of the performance of a known material. It applies to either journal or thrust bearings but may also be applied, with caution, to other bearings with continuous or oscillatory motion. It implements the methods of ESDU 87007 and is supplied as Fortran code with a database incorporating a set of friction and wear data measured on polymer based materials at the National Centre of Tribology over six years and representing 150 000 test hours. Data are also included on bulk carbon/graphite materials and metals with solid lubricant additions. The program can also be used with alternative databases, the preparation of which is explained. The program is flexible in the extent to which various constraints and criteria can be applied to the selection process. For example, materials can be selected to provide specified resistances to environmental conditions such as water, mineral oil, vacuum, radiation, acids and alkalis. Wear depth or wear life requirements can also be specified. To obtain a more accurate estimate of the bearing temperature, special heat dissipation methods used for the housing and the mating surface may optionally be specified. Consideration of counterface thermal conductivity, surface roughness and hardness can also be included. The output gives a summary of the performance of any candidate materials including wear rate and life compared with their maximum values as well as bearing temperature and frictional power loss. The program fully validates the input data and data read from database files. Error messages that may be output are listed and explained. Use of the program is illustrated by worked examples.