Insights of particle types on interface wear properties of different water-lubricated bearing materials

The particle types in lubricating medium are very important to the performance of friction interface. Three potential ship water-lubricated bearing materials (PBT, PEEK and Polyurethane composite 10. wt% carnauba wax (PUCW10)) were selected to carry out tribological tests in water environment with different particles (Al2O3, SiO2, sand or clays). The results show that all three materials showed significant friction coefficients and wear in water environment containing sand below 60 mu m at 0.5 MPa and 150 r/min. and the surface hardness, hydrophilicity and particles characteristics affect the wear properties of samples. PUCW10 benefits from the wax layer formed by carnauba wax component on worn surface to avoid excessive wear, thereby obtaining better particle wear resistance and vibration reduction effect.