Influence of Water Contamination, Iron Particles, and Energy Input on the NVH Behavior of Wet Clutches

Abstract

The driving comfort and safety of the automotive powertrain are significantly related to the performance, lifetime, and functionality of the lubricant. The presented study focuses on investigating the performance loss of the lubricant due to water contamination resulting from environmental influences and iron particles originating from the wear of different machine elements. The main purpose is to determine critical factors that contribute to the degradation of the lubricant, and increase the tendency to NVH behavior, leading to adverse comfort losses to the respective user. Therefore, this performance loss is evaluated by test rig-based analysis of the friction behavior of wet clutches. Due to physical adsorption, a significant impact of water and iron contamination on the degradation of the lubricant is found, while the influence of the energy input is secondary.

Friction Coefficient of Wet Clutches as a Function of Service Mileage

“…Second, in terms of lubricant quality, Li et al [15] investigated the mechanism of the effect of lubricant on the friction characteristics of wet clutches and found that the lubricant mainly affected the friction coefficient through the formation of calcium carbonate on the friction surface. In addition, Wirkner et al [16] and Fatima et al [17] studied the influence of water content and iron filing content in the lubricant on the friction coefficient of wet clutches. Farfán-Cabrera et al [18] also investigated the influence of bio-lubricants on the friction coefficient of wet clutches.…”

“…friction surface. In addition, Wirkner et al [16] and Fatima et al [17] studied of water content and iron filing content in the lubricant on the friction coe clutches. Farfán-Cabrera et al [18] also investigated the influence of bio-lub friction coefficient of wet clutches.…”