Numerical Analysis of the Influence of Temperature On the Friction Resistance of a Metal-Polymer Sliding Pair

Abstract

The paper presents numerical calculations of polymer sliding bearings during their operation at low temperatures. Calculations of the frictional moment and the contact area were performed for bearing pans made of PA and PEEK. In the numerical model, the influence of temperature on the mechanical properties (modulus of longitudinal elasticity) and tribological properties (coefficient of friction) were taken into account. The diversified influence of the temperature and thickness of the polymer bearing pans was demonstrated with regards to elements made of different polymer materials. At low temperatures (up to T = -50°C), a different (depending on the used polymer) influence of mechanical and tribological properties on the resistance to motion was found. The ABAQUS calculation package and the finite element method (FEM) were used in the calculations.