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A special issue of Lubricants (ISSN 2075-4442).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 13822

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Dr. Zhenpeng He

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School of Aeronautical Engineering, Civil Aviation University of China, Tianjin 300300, China
Interests: mechanical tribology; structural dynamics; rotor nonlinear dynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As a critical industrial technologies, mechanical friction and surface technologies have been widely applied in many fields. They not only have a significant impact on the performance and quality of materials but also have profound effects on the environment and ecology. Therefore, this Special Issue will focus on the latest research results regarding the cutting-edge technologies in these fields, providing insights to readers and promoting the progress of industrial technology.

This Special Issue will focus on three primary research topics, namely, lubrication and sealing technology, tribology research, and surface technology, all of which include the consideration of lubrication mechanisms, lubrication cavities, sealing mechanisms, lubrication performance evaluation, sealing performance evaluation, friction failure, friction wear, friction pair optimization design, friction testing, contact modeling, surface micromachining, surface modification, surface textures, surface coating, roughness modeling, and other key technologies. We welcome submissions of all kinds, and we believe that your research findings and technological applications will ensure that the content of this Special Issue is as exciting as possible. We will do our best to provide you with the highest quality editing and publishing services, helping your research results to be disseminated more widely.

We hope to collaborate with other like-minded researchers to promote the development of mechanical friction and surface technology and contribute to the progress of human society.

Dr. Zhenpeng He
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Lubricants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

lubrication and sealing technology
tribology research
surface technology
roughness modeling
surface texture

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 16366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Effect of Surface Modification by Electropolishing on Tribological Behaviour of Worm Gear Pairs

by Robert Mašović, Suzana Jakovljević, Ivan Čular, Daniel Miler and Dragan Žeželj

Lubricants 2024, 12(12), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12120408 - 24 Nov 2024

Viewed by 548

Abstract

Electropolishing using a high-current density results in a pitting phenomenon, producing a surface texture distinguished by many pits. Apart from the change in surface topography, electropolishing forms an oxide surface layer characterized by beneficial tribological properties. This paper introduces surface texturing in worm gear pairs by electropolishing a 16MnCr5 steel worm surface. Electropolishing produces surface pits 1 μm to 5 μm deep and 20 to 100 μm in diameter. The material characterization of 16MnCr5 steel is compared against the electropolished 16MnCr5 steel based on microstructure, hardness, surface topography and chemical composition. Experimental tests with worm pairs employing electropolished worms are conducted, and the results are compared to conventional worm pairs with ground steel worms. Electropolished worms show up to 5.2% higher efficiency ratings than ground ones and contribute to better running-in of worm gear pairs. Moreover, electropolished worms can reliably support full contact patterns and prevent scuffing due to improved lubrication conditions resulting from the produced surface texture and oxide surface layer. Based on the obtained results, electropolishing presents a promising method for surface texturing and modification in machine elements characterized by highly loaded non-conformal contacts and complex geometry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology)

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19 pages, 12852 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Sealing Performance of Segmented Annular Seals Based on Fluid–Solid–Thermal Coupling Model

by Zhenpeng He, Lanhao Jia, Jiaxin Si, Ning Li, Hongyu Wang, Baichun Li, Yuhang Guo, Shijun Zhao and Wendong Luo

Lubricants 2024, 12(12), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12120407 - 22 Nov 2024

Viewed by 532

Abstract

High-speed segmented annular seals are often subjected to friction and wear, and the groove design on the sealing surface can effectively suppress this loss. For the purpose of improving the sealing performance, the segmented annular seal models of three structures are established, and the accuracy of the calculation model is verified by comparing with the previous results. Through fluid–solid–thermal coupled analysis, the flow field characteristics, opening characteristics, and leakage characteristics of the segmented annular seal under high working condition parameters were studied. The results show that the setting of the shallow groove forms the hydrodynamic effect by squeezing and hindering the flow of fluid in the clearance. The increase in rotational speed and pressure difference can promote the increase in the opening force, while the temperature has no significant effect on the opening of the seal. Seals with ladder-like grooves have the best opening performance, and seals without shallow grooves are already difficult to open under conditions of high pressure difference and large spring forces. Temperature and pressure difference are the main factors affecting the leakage of the seal, while the influence of the rotation speed is small. When the sealed pressure increases from 0.15 MPa to 0.4 MPa, the maximum increase in the leakage of the seal with specific groove design is 4.657 times the original. As the temperature rises from 420 K to 620 K, the maximum decrease in the three structures is up to 22.9%. Among the seals of the three structures, seals with ladder-like grooves have medium leakage. This research will contribute to the improvement of research methods for the sealing performance of segmented annular rings, especially for the evaluation of groove design and opening characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology)

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16 pages, 7493 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On Lubrication Regime Changes during Forward Extrusion, Forging, and Drawing

by Man-Soo Joun, Yun Heo, Nam-Hyeon Kim and Nam-Yun Kim

Lubricants 2024, 12(10), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12100352 - 14 Oct 2024

Viewed by 788

Abstract

The tribological phenomena concerning the lubrication regime change (LRC) during bulk metal forming are comprehensively studied. A multi-step cold forward extrusion process shows the evolution of LRC and reveals the shortcomings of the traditional Coulomb friction law. The previous works of the specific author’s research group on friction are reviewed, focusing on the LRC during bulk metal forming. Various LRC phenomena from various examples are revealed. It has been found that the drawing and forward extrusion processes are vulnerable to LRC because of significant sliding motion at the material–die interface, and that when the strain hardening of the material is slight, the influence of friction increases, and as a result, the influence of LRC increases excessively. The new findings also include the impact of LRC on the macroscopic phenomena of the process and the reason for the sharp increase in friction coefficient via LRC, which is validated by the work of Wilson. This paper aims to make engineers and researchers think much of the tribology with lubricant in bulk metal forming with a focus on the dependence of tribological phenomena on the state of the lubricants and the irrationality of traditional friction law, especially in the forging of materials with a low strain hardening capability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology)

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16 pages, 8237 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Machine Vision System for the Average Roughness Measurement of Shot- and Sand-Blasted Surfaces

by Kyungmok Kim

Lubricants 2024, 12(10), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12100339 - 30 Sep 2024

Viewed by 686

Abstract

This article presents a machine vision system for measuring the arithmetic average roughness of shot- and sand-blasted surfaces. In the developed system, a digital microscope was used for capturing surface images after shot- and sand-blasting processes. The captured grayscale images were analyzed with the proposed algorithm using Otsu’s global thresholding and a size bandpass filter. The algorithm detected white regions associated with the specular reflection of light on a binary image, and then calculated the size of selected regions. One-way ANOVA was used to identify the relation between the size of the regions and the arithmetic average roughness of blasted surfaces. It was noted that the average size of white regions showed a linear relation to the arithmetic average roughness of both shot- and sand-blasted surfaces. Different abrasives (shot or sand) were found to bring about differences in the rate of change of the average size within a chosen roughness range. When a surface image with unknown roughness is given, it is possible to predict the arithmetic average roughness on the basis of the relation. This machine vision system enables the fast and low-cost roughness measurement of shot- and sand-blasted surfaces. Thus, it could be useful in a quality inspection for shot- and sand-blasting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology)

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22 pages, 32625 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Optimization Analysis of Floating Ring Seal Performance Based on Surface Texture

by Zhenpeng He, Yuhang Guo, Jiaxin Si, Ning Li, Lanhao Jia, Yuchen Zou and Hongyu Wang

Lubricants 2024, 12(7), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12070241 - 3 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1097

Abstract

Much research and practical experience have shown that the utilization of textures has an enhancing effect on the performance of dynamic seals and the dynamic pressure lubrication of gas bearings. In order to optimize the performance of floating ring seals, this study systematically analyzes the effects of different texture shapes and their parameters. The Reynolds equation of the gas is solved by the successive over-relaxation (SOR) iteration method. The pressure and thickness distributions of the seal gas film are solved to derive the floating force, end leakage, friction, and the ratio of buoyancy to leakage within the seal. The effects of various texture shapes, including square, 2:1 rectangle, triangle, hexagon, and circle, as well as their parameters, such as texture depth, angle, and area share, on the sealing performance are discussed. Results show that the texture can increase the air film buoyancy and reduce friction, but it also increases the leakage by a small amount. Square textures and rectangular textures are relatively effective. The deeper the depth of the texture within a certain range, the better the overall performance of the floating ring seal. As the texture area percentage increases, leakage tends to increase and friction tends to decrease. A fractal roughness model is developed, the effect of surface roughness on sealing performance is briefly discussed, and finally the effect of surface texture with roughness is analyzed. Some texture parameters that can significantly optimize the sealing performance are obtained. Rectangular textures with certain parameters enhance the buoyancy of the air film by 81.2%, which is the most significant enhancement effect. This rectangular texture reduces friction by 25.8% but increases leakage by 79.5%. The triangular textures increase buoyancy by 28.02% and leakage increases by only 10.08% when the rotation speed is 15,000 r/min. The results show that texture with appropriate roughness significantly optimizes the performance of the floating ring seal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology)

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17 pages, 5948 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermo-Fluid–Structural Coupled Analysis of a Mechanical Seal in Extended Loss of AC Power of a Reactor Coolant Pump

by Youngjun Park, Gwanghee Hong, Sanghyun Jun, Jeongmook Choi, Taegyu Kim, Minsoo Kang and Gunhee Jang

Lubricants 2024, 12(6), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12060212 - 10 Jun 2024

Viewed by 902

Abstract

We proposed a numerical method to investigate the thermo-fluid–structural coupled characteristics of a mechanical seal of a reactor coolant pump (RCP), especially during extended loss of AC power (ELAP) operation. We developed a finite element program for the general Reynolds equation, including the turbulence effect to calculate the pressure, opening force, and leakage rate of fluid lubricant and the two-dimensional energy equation to calculate the temperature distribution of the fluid lubricant. We verified the accuracy of the developed program by comparing the simulated temperature distribution and leakage rate of this study with those of previous research. Heat conduction and elastic deformation due to pressure and temperature changes at the seal structure were analyzed using an ANSYS program. The results showed that temperature more significantly affected the elastic deformation of the seal structure near clearance than pressure both under normal and ELAP operating conditions. High temperature and pressure of the coolant under ELAP operating conditions deform the seal structure, resulting in a much smaller clearance of the fluid film than normal operating condition. However, even with a small clearance under ELAP operation, the leakage rate slightly increases due to the high internal pressure of the coolant. This research will contribute to the development of robust mechanical seals for RCPs by accurately predicting the characteristics of mechanical seals, especially when the RCP is operating under ELAP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology)

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18 pages, 5305 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Criteria for Evaluating the Tribological Effectiveness of 3D Roughness on Friction Surfaces

by Oleksandr Stelmakh, Hongyu Fu, Serhii Kolienov, Vasyl Kanevskii, Hao Zhang, Chenxing Hu and Valerii Grygoruk

Lubricants 2024, 12(6), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12060209 - 9 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1005

Abstract

A new technique for finishing the surfaces of friction pairs has been proposed, which, in combination with the original test method, has shown a significant influence of the initial roughness configuration (surface texture) on friction and wear. Two types of finishing processing of the shaft friction surfaces were compared, and it was found that the friction and wear coefficients differ by more than 2–5 and 2–4 times, respectively. Based on a new methodology for analyzing standard roughness parameters, the tribological efficiency criteria (in the sense of reducing friction and wear) are proposed for the initial state of the friction surface of a radial plane sliding bearing shaft relative to the friction direction, which is consistent with its frictional characteristics. Comparison of the laboratory test results with the surface tribological efficiency criteria showed that these criteria are very promising for controlling existing technologies and optimizing new technologies for friction surface finishing in various friction systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology)

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25 pages, 11409 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Polymer Flow on Polypropylene Morphology, Micro-Mechanical, and Tribological Properties of Injected Part

by Martin Ovsik, Klara Fucikova, Lukas Manas and Michal Stanek

Lubricants 2024, 12(6), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12060202 - 4 Jun 2024

Viewed by 930

Abstract

This research investigates the micro-mechanical and tribological properties of injection-molded parts made from polypropylene. The tribological properties of polymers are a very interesting area of research. Understanding tribological processes is very crucial. Considering that the mechanical and tribological properties of injected parts are not uniform at various points of the part, this research was conducted to explain the non-homogeneity of properties along the flow path. Non-homogeneity can be influenced by numerous factors, including distance from the gate, mold and melt temperature, injection pressure, crystalline structure, cooling rate, the surface of the mold, and others. The key factor from the micro-mechanical and tribological properties point of view is the polymer morphology (degree of crystallinity and size of the skin and core layers). The morphology is influenced by polymer flow and the injection molding process conditions. Gained results indicate that the indentation method was sufficiently sensitive to capture the changes in polypropylene morphology, which is a key parameter for the resulting micro-mechanical and tribological properties of the part. It was proven that the mechanical and tribological properties are not equal in varying regions of the part. Due to cooling and process parameters, the difference in the indentation modulus in individual measurement points was up to 55%, and the tribological properties, in particular the friction coefficient, showed a difference of up to 20%. The aforementioned results indicate the impact this finding signifies for injection molding technology in technical practice. Tribological properties are a key property of the part surface and, together with micro-mechanical properties, characterize the resistance of the surface to mechanical failure of the plastic part when used in engineering applications. A suitable choice of gate location, finishing method of the cavity surface, and process parameters can ensure the improvement of mechanical and tribological properties in stressed regions of the part. This will increase the stiffness and wear resistance of the surface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology)

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13 pages, 2773 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Friction Properties of GI Steel Plates with Various Surface Treatments

by Miroslav Tomáš, Stanislav Németh, Emil Evin, František Hollý, Vladimír Kundracik, Juliy Martyn Kulya and Marek Buber

Lubricants 2024, 12(6), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12060198 - 31 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1016

Abstract

This article presents the improved properties of GI (hot-dip galvanized) steel plates in combination with a special permanent surface treatment. The substrate used was hot-dip galvanized deep-drawn steel sheets of grade DX56D + Z. Subsequently, various surface treatments were applied to their surface. The coefficient of friction of the metal sheets without surface treatment, with a temporary surface treatment called passivation, and a thin organic coating (TOC) based on hydroxyl resins dissolved in water, Ti and Cr³⁺ were determined by a cup test. The surface quality and corrosion resistance of all tested samples were also determined by exposing them for up to 288 h in an atmosphere of neutral salt spray. The surface microgeometry parameters Ra, RPc and Rz(I), which have a significant influence on the pressing process itself, were also determined. The TOC deposited on the Zn substrate was the only one to exhibit excellent lubrication and anticorrosion properties, resulting in the lowest surface microgeometry values owing to the uniform and continuous layer of the thin organic coating compared to the GI substrate and passivation surface treatment, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology)

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20 pages, 5539 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Sustainable Production Processes in C45 Steel Machining Using a Confocal Chromatic Sensor

by Jozef Jurko, Katarína Paľová, Peter Michalík and Martin Kondrát

Lubricants 2024, 12(3), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12030099 - 16 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1756

Abstract

Metal machining production faces a myriad of demands encompassing ecology, automation, product control, and cost reduction. Within this framework, an exploration into employing a direct inspection of the machined area within the work zone of a given machine through a confocal chromatic sensor was undertaken. In the turning process, parameters including cutting speed (A), feed (B), depth of cut (C), workpiece length from clamping (D), and cutting edge radius (E) were designated as input variables. Roundness deviation (Rd) and tool face wear (KM) parameters were identified as output factors for assessing process performance. The experimental phase adhered to the Taguchi Orthogonal Array L27. Confirmatory tests revealed that optimizing process parameters according to the Taguchi method could enhance the turning performance of C45 steel. ANOVA results underscored the significant impact of cutting speed (A), feed (B), depth of cut (C), and workpiece length from clamping (D) on turning performance concerning Rd and KM. Furthermore, initial regression models were formulated to forecast roundness variation and tool face wear. The proposed parameters were found to not only influence the machined surface but also affect confocal sensor measurements. Consequently, we advocate for the adoption of these optimal cutting conditions in product production to bolster turning performance when machining C45 steel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology)

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Review

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26 pages, 6357 KiB

Open AccessReview

Application and Prospect of Wear Simulation Based on ABAQUS: A Review

by Liang Yan, Linyi Guan, Di Wang and Dingding Xiang

Lubricants 2024, 12(2), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants12020057 - 16 Feb 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3683

Abstract

The finite element method(FEM) is a powerful tool for studying friction and wear. Compared to experimental methods, it has outstanding advantages, such as saving financial costs and time. In addition, it has been widely used in friction and wear research. This paper discusses the application of the FEM in the study of friction and wear in terms of the finite element modeling methods, factors affecting wear behavior, wear theory, and the practical application of the method. Finally, the latest progress of finite element simulation wear research is summarized, and the future research direction is proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tribology and Surface Technology)

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