Influence of testing method on the contact pressure distribution and its effect on coefficient of friction in polymeric bearings

Influence of contact pressure distribution on the coefficient of friction was investigated for some polymeric bearings in dry and lubricated conditions. Reciprocal pin on plate sliding test and Soda pendulum type sliding tests were carried out. It was found that the contact pressure distribution had a significant effect on the coefficient of friction in lubricated condition. The coefficient of friction became smaller when the pin was sliding with the lower contact pressure side ahead. The coefficient of friction in dry condition does not depend on sliding direction regardless of contact pressure distribution. Furthermore a parametric equation was derived to calculate contact pressure in polymeric journal bearings. The accuracy of the equation was confirmed by Finite Element Method (FEM).