Analytical study of polyamide journal bearing reinforced by copper fibres

The behaviour of polyamide journal bearing reinforced by perpendicular and parallel copper continuous fibres is presented. Hydrodynamic pressure, load carrying capacity and friction coefficient of oil film have been calculate d taking into consideration the elastic deformation of bearing surface caus ed by hydrodynamic generated pressure. The finite difference technique is u tilized to predict the influence of the elastic deformation on the characte ristics of the finite journal bearing. The results show that the oil film t hickness increases due to elastic deformation caused by hydrodynamic pressu re. Such increase results in a reduction of hydrodynamic pressure and conse quently load carrying capacity, The reinforcing polyamide bearing by parall el continuous fibres demonstrates continuous enhancement in bearing perform ance with increasing copper content. However, the perpendicular copper fibr es reinforcing polyamide bearings show on optimal behaviour of copper conte nt of 10 to 20 % which is very close to the behaviour of 100 % copper beari ng. By this composites, the application of quite good tribological properti es of polyamide and mechanical properties of copper and consequently econom y of manufacturing of bearing material have been achieved in the present an alysis.