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There are many factors to consider when working toward a solution for a mechanical engineering challenge. This statement holds true for bearings, one of the most commonly employed components in linear and rotary mechanical assemblies. Unfortunately, in many cases, designers and engineers often wait until the end of the design process to think about what bearing to use in the mechanical assembly, which can lead to improper or inefficient bearing design. Additionally, while they may contemplate what type, size, speed, and load capacity is required for the assembly to work as intended, they frequently forget to factor in one of the most important aspects of bearings—tribological characteristics. Tribology refers to the interdisciplinary science that studies friction, wear, and lubrication. It describes the behavior of interacting surfaces and other tribo-elements in relative motion in natural and artificial systems. Since the performance of bearings is significantly influenced by wear, friction, and lubrication, considering and optimizing their tribological characteristics at the beginning—rather than at the end—of the design process can lead to better overall system performance. This eBook discusses the principles of tribology and how they can affect the performance of bearing systems. The topics covered include an overview of dry-running bearing contact, technical surfaces, wear and friction, the impact of a few micrometers, and performance and behavioral characteristics in polymer composites, multi-layer materials, and transfer films. |
