Factors Affecting the Friction Coefficient of High Performance Plastic Bearings
Friction and wear are the two major factors affecting the performance of plastic bearings. Friction coefficient is also an important factor affecting the performance of these bearings. The friction coefficient of plastic bearings is affected by a variety of factors. The main factors influencing the friction coefficient of high-performance plastics bearings include material properties, environmental parameters, tribological characteristics, lubrication, load and speed.
Material properties, such as the surface roughness, chemical structure, and the wear resistance of the bearing components, can all play a role in determining the friction coefficient. The surface roughness of a bearing, for example, affects the friction coefficient by altering the coefficient of friction between the moving and stationary parts. At the same time, the wear resistance of the bearing components affects the friction coefficient directly.
Environment parameters also have an effect on friction coefficients. Temperature is an important factor. At lower temperatures, the coefficient of friction between the plastic bearings and the contact surfaces decreases. At higher temperatures, the coefficient of friction increases. Additionally, the presence and type of contaminant can also alter the coefficient of friction, by either increasing or decreasing the overall friction coefficient.
Tribological characteristics are another factor influencing the performance of a bearing and its friction coefficient. This includes the tribological behavior of the contact surfaces and the wear resistance of the bearing itself. The tribological behavior of the contact surfaces affects the friction coefficient directly, by increasing or decreasing the coefficient of friction according to the lubricant used and the type of contact surfaces. The wear resistance of the bearing also affects the friction coefficient, primarily because the wear rate of the bearing affects the coefficient of friction.
Lubrication is an important factor influencing the performance of a plastic bearing and the friction coefficient. The lubricant used, the lubricant supply mechanism, and viscosity all can play an important role in affecting the friction coefficient. If insufficient lubrication is supplied to the bearing, the coefficient of friction increases. In contrast, sufficient lubrication helps reduce the friction coefficient.
Finally, load and speed are also important factors influencing the friction coefficient of a bearing. As the load and rotational speed of a bearing increase, the coefficient of friction generally also increases. It is for this reason that high performance plastic bearings are generally recommended for applications with low loads and low speed.
In conclusion, there are many factors that influence the friction coefficient of high performance plastic bearings. These include material properties, environmental parameters, tribological characteristics, lubrication, load, and speed. It is important to understand the influence of these factors on the performance of a plastic bearing, in order to ensure the desired performance and service life.
