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Experimental study on operating characteristics of rotor-bearing system lubricated by gallium-based liquid metal

Chunjie Wei, Qi Chen, Jimin Xu, Xiaojun Liu, Wei Wang

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology

ISSN: 0036-8792

Article publication date: 4 June 2024

Issue publication date: 26 June 2024

102

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the operating characteristics of gallium-based liquid metals (GLMs) by directly adding them as lubricants in real mechanical equipment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducts an analysis of the rotor-bearing system under GLM lubrication using a constructed test rig, focusing on vibration signals, surface characteristics of the friction pair, contact resistance and temperature rise features.

Findings

The study reveals that GLM can effectively improve the lubrication condition of the tribo-pair, leading to a more stable vibration signal in the system. Surface analysis demonstrates that GLM can protect the sample surface from wear, and phase separation occurs during the experimental process. Test results of contact resistance indicate that, in addition to enhancing the interfacial conductivity, GLM also generates a fluid dynamic pressure effect. The high thermal conductivity and anti-wear effects of GLM can reduce the temperature rise of the tribo-pair, but precautions should be taken to prevent oxidation and the loss of its fluidity.

Originality/value

The overall operating characteristics of the rotor-bearing system under GLM lubrication were investigated to provide new ideas for the lubrication of the rotor-bearing system.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-03-2024-0067/

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant number 52175165) and Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province (Grant number 2308085ME157).

Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Citation

Wei, C., Chen, Q., Xu, J., Liu, X. and Wang, W. (2024), "Experimental study on operating characteristics of rotor-bearing system lubricated by gallium-based liquid metal", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 76 No. 5, pp. 649-657. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-03-2024-0067

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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