The article presents the results of tribological tests of a thrust bearing made of steel-bronze materials when lubricated with a lead-bismuth metal melt under conditions of heating up to 500°C. The influence of steel-bronze on the coefficient of friction in the ranges of load 0.17–1.0 MPa, velocity 0.05–0.23 m/s, and temperature 250–500°C was studied. It has been established that the tribological properties of friction pairs under experimental conditions mainly depend on temperature, which determines the wetting angle and the viscosity of the metal melt. With an increase in the temperature of the melt above 300°C, the viscosity of the melt decreases, and the liquid metal lubricant is squeezed out of the actual contact areas.
The authors thereof have developed a technology for application of wear-resistant coatings to protect against wear. The research team tested how efficiently powdered material could be heated in a plasma jet. They studied the physical and mechanical properties of coatings by kinetic micro-indentation and tested the plasma sprays for wear resistance. Tribological laboratory tests used the roller-on-roller method. Thus, WC/Co/Cr coatings had the most stable tribological properties and were more wear-resistant, compared to other tested coatings. Cylinder liners of heavy-duty diesel engines were enhanced by this technology. The pilot batch showed promise, as it might triple effectively the service life of diesel engines.
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