Theoretical and experimental research on the friction coefficient of water lubricated bearing with consideration of wall slip effects

Researches of the nature of friction coefficient of water lubricated bearing are carried out in this paper. Based on the experimental results of composite material bearing under hydrodynamic lubrication by water, we calculate the Stribeck curves as the function of load and speed, deviate the modified Reynolds equation considering wall slip effects in Cartesian coordinate system, put forward the essential model of friction coefficient, the composition of friction coefficient and essential changing correlation between them. Numerical results are in good agreement with experimental results, which verifies existence of wall slip. Researches indicate that there is always an appropriate working condition which friction coefficient is minimum. Comparison of the theoretical and experimental results shows that they are consistent on the overall trend but still exist some deviations under certain operating conditions. Reasonable explanations are given to illustrate the correctness of theoretical model.