Design and realization of a tribometer for journal bearing applications in non-lubricating fluids

Friction and wear phenomena are now viewed as a key area of research in support of the European Union's sustainability objectives. Recent studies suggest that tribological advancements could lead to a potential reduction of up to 24% in primary energy consumption [1]. In the extensive domain of tribology concerning shaft-journal bearing systems, the mechanics of non-lubricating fluid environments remains a largely uncharted scientific territory. Numerous industrial sectors grapple with the challenge of transporting and storing non-lubricating fluids, often employing mechanical technologies that prove to be insufficient for this task. Poor material selection and unbalanced operating conditions not only shorten the lifespan of numerous mechanical components but also force users to adopt inefficient technologies to address industrial challenges. This situation becomes even more problematic when non-lubricating fluids contain solid particles, which can act as abrasive agents against materials. The present study is based on an industrial problem to analyze this engineering issue. A novel, custom- designed tribometer is proposed to simulate the performance of various materials, treatments, and coatings for shaft and journal bearings in non-lubricating environments. The instrument is designed to operate under high rotational speeds, heavy radial loads, and fixed operative temperature. A statistical approach is proposed to correlate torque and heat outputs with operating parameters, according to models proposed in previous literature [2]