Methods for determining the bearing capacity and extreme pressure properties of lubricants used in heavy-loaded tribodynamic couplings of metallurgical machines and units

Abstract

To solve contact problems related to the study of the interaction between a lubricated or non-lubricated friction pair, we used standard equipment - friction machines and tribometers. However, the use of factory-made research equipment does not always allow us to accurately answer the questions concerning the tribotechnical characteristics of friction and wear processes under specific operating conditions. A review of the literature on the technical capabilities of testing machines showed that their main drawback is the inability to programmatically set the modes of acceleration of the tribological system and tracking slippage in real-time. The study revealed the need to develop a methodology for investigating the extreme pressure properties of liquid lubricants in the tribocoupling acceleration mode, which is caused primarily by the effect of high contact loads acting in the contact areas of friction pairs, e.g. gears, rolling bearings, etc. when technological machines and equipment start and reach the operating speed. The paper considers a modernized friction machine capable of programmatically setting acceleration modes and investigating tribodynamic processes of lubricated frictional couplings. We developed a technique that makes it possible to evaluate the efficiency of a liquid lubricant during acceleration and its effect on the wear of a lubricated contact based on the use of the modernized friction machine.