Friction coefficient and performance evaluation of plain journal bearing using SAE 5W-30 engine oil

Abstract

Friction is a crucial parameter in tribological applications such as power transmission, crankshafts, gears, cams, bearings, and other rotating machine parts or components. Due to the relative motion of the shaft and bearing, friction needs to be analyzed according to all lubrication states of the journal bearing. The friction coefficient was significantly reduced using piezo-viscous SAE 5W-30 engine oil in this study. An adequate lubricant pressure is obtained using this approach to produce a suitable oil film thickness. Minimal variation in lubricant temperature was obtained which prescribes the sustainability of the lubricant. The bearing performance was observed through computational fluid dynamics analysis under different viscosities. The SAE 5W-30 lubricant-containing 0.052693 Pa s viscosity minimized bearing deformation and stress formation at 500, 750, and 1000 r/min. A new bearing material as gun-metal having good bearing properties and good resistance to corrosion has been proposed in this study.