Development of a spherical bearing with uni-directional carbon/epoxy composite

The carbon/phenolic fabric composite spherical bearing has been known as a promising component for the elevation driving mechanism of a gun since it has high compressive strength and self-lubricating characteristics. However, the interior fiber wrinkles produced during the in-plane compression molding process decrease the through-thickness compressive strength of the composite race. In this work, a uni-directional carbon/epoxy composite rather than carbon/phenolic fabric composites was used to increase the compressive strength by eliminating the interior fiber wrinkles. In order to provide the self-lubricating layer on the uni-directional composite, self-lubricating films were embedded into the composite surface. Then, the structural reliability and tribological characteristic of the uni-directional composite race were investigated. Finally, the bearing clearance and frictional torque of the composite spherical bearing (CSB), which affect the targeting accuracy and driving force, were measured by a pneumatic bearing tester.