Simulation and Experimental on Thermal Behavior of Hydrostatic Thrust Bearing Based on Superhydrophobic/oleophobic Surface

The temperature rises of oil film in hydrostatic bearings at high-speed lead to a reduction in load capacity, accuracy and stability. In this paper, a superhydrophobic/oleophobic surface with micro-bulges structure is proposed. The surface is prepared by laser cross-scanning and chemical modification. The contact angle (CA) of surface is 138° and the boundary condition of surface modificated from non-slip to slip condition. The relationship between the slip length and the height of the micro-bulges structure is established by rheological experiments. By the simple partial simulations, validity of the temperature rise reduction on the superhydrophobic/oleophobic surface is verified. Then a bearing test rig was set up to measure temperature and load capacity of bearings at multiple points, the performance of smooth primary surface/structured oleophobic surface thrust bearings was compared. Results show that the structured bearing has lower oil film temperature and higher load capacity than the smooth bearing. The prepared oleophobic surface can effectively suppress the temperature rise at high speed conditions, and significantly increase the bearing load capacity.