Predictions of friction and wear in ball bearings based on a 3D point contact mixed EHL model

Ship gas turbine bearings are subjected to heavy loads and complex interface micro-morphologies, primarily functioning in a mixed lubrication regime. Asperity relative sliding can induce wear at contact points. This study establishes a coupled analysis model that considers the sliding wear process, real machined surface and mixed lubrication of the gas turbine bearing under actual operating conditions. For the first time, the prediction of the sliding wear and its influence on the surface micro-topography(the real surface roughness) is coupled with the material hardness and wear time of gas turbine bearings, forming an effective model framework and providing a model basis and analytical basis for subsequent research. The findings reveal that the method can simulate a variety of real rough surfaces wear profiles. Under the same wear duration., The CBN surface shows a prominent wear channel, the Honed surface exhibits minor wear marks on the both sides, and the Polished surface displays scattered wear. Furthermore, the maximum wear depth of the CBN surface is 38.2 % higher than that of the Honed surface and 23.3 % higher than that of the Polished surface. The proposed coupled model provides a valuable tool for the evaluation of lubrication performance of the gas turbine bearing.