The effect of natural frequency of the experimental set‐up on the wear rate

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate experimentally the effect of natural frequency of the experimental set‐up on wear rate of glass fiber‐reinforced plastic (GFRP).

Design/methodology/approach

Experimental and dimensional analysis. A pin‐on‐disc apparatus having facility of vibrating the test samples at different directions, amplitudes and frequencies was designed and fabricated. The natural frequency of the set‐up was varied by adding dead loads of the set‐up from 0 to 50 kg. At each added load, the wear rate has been measured.

Findings

The presence of natural frequency of vibration indeed affects the wear rate considerably. The values of wear rate increase with the increase of natural frequency of vibration of the experimental set‐up. As the wear rate increases with increasing natural frequency of vibration, therefore, maintaining appropriate level of natural frequency vibration wear may be kept to some lower value to improve mechanical processes. The empirical formula of wear rate is derived from the dimensionless analysis. The wear rate obtained from the correlation shows better relationship with experimental results.

Practical implications

It is expected that the applications of these results will contribute to the improvement of different concerned mechanical systems and machines.

Originality/value

Considering the lack of correlation among wear rate, natural frequency of the experimental set‐up and other operating parameters, the present research was started to find out suitable correlation and a way of reducing wear rate by applying known natural frequency of vibration at a particular direction. Therefore, in this paper, an attempt is made to investigate the wear behavior of GFRP under natural frequency of the experimental set‐up. It is expected that the applications of these results will contribute to the improvement of different concerned mechanical systems.

Citation

Asaduzzaman Chowdhury, M. (2010), "The effect of natural frequency of the experimental set‐up on the wear rate", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 62 No. 6, pp. 356-360. https://doi.org/10.1108/00368791011076254