The wear resistance and service life of self-lubricating scraper bearings are its core performance indicators, which directly affect the operating efficiency and maintenance costs of the equipment. The following analyzes the performance of its wear resistance and service life in detail from the aspects of material characteristics, working principles, influencing factors and actual performance:
Wear resistance performance
Material characteristics determine wear resistance
Metal matrix and composite material
Self-lubricating scraper bearings are usually composed of metal substrates (such as copper, steel or aluminum alloys) and embedded self-lubricating materials (such as graphite, PTFE, nylon or MoS₂). These materials have excellent friction resistance:
Graphite: Provides good dry friction lubrication capability and is suitable for high temperature or low speed operating conditions.
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene): has extremely low friction coefficient and excellent chemical stability, suitable for high humidity or corrosive environments.
Nylon: It has both wear resistance and toughness, suitable for application scenarios with medium and low loads.
Evenly distributed lubricating materials
The self-lubricating material is embedded in the bearing surface in particles or coatings, gradually releasing the lubricating components during movement, reducing friction and wear.
Advantages of low friction coefficient
The friction coefficient of self-lubricating scraper bearings is usually between 0.03 and 0.2, which is much lower than that of conventional rolling or sliding bearings. The low coefficient of friction not only reduces energy loss, but also significantly reduces the surface wear speed.
Adapt to various working conditions
The wear resistance of self-lubricating scraper bearings is excellent in dry, humid, high temperature or corrosive environments. For example:
In high humidity environments, PTFE materials can maintain stable lubricating properties.
In high temperature environments, graphite materials can continuously provide lubrication.
Service life performance
Long-life design
The self-lubricating scraper bearing is designed to enable it to run for a long time without the need for external lubricant. By reducing friction and preventing dry grinding, it usually lasts longer than traditional bearings.
Under normal operating conditions, high-quality self-lubricating scraper bearings can last for several years or even longer, and the specific life depends on load, speed and environmental conditions.
Factors affecting service life
Load:
High loads will accelerate wear on the bearing surface and shorten service life. Therefore, choosing the right carrying capacity is key.
speed :
High-speed operation can lead to increased frictional heat, which may reduce the effectiveness of the lubricating material. The appropriate materials and design need to be selected according to the speed.
Environmental conditions:
Corrosive media, dust or high temperatures can accelerate the aging and wear of the bearing. For example, in chemical plants or marine environments, materials with strong corrosion resistance need to be selected.
Installation accuracy:
Incorrect installation may cause bearings to be loaded or stressed, thereby shortening service life.
Performance in practical applications
Industrial conveying equipment:
In scraper conveyors or chain drive systems, self-lubricated scraper bearings are usually able to withstand medium loads and medium speeds, with service life of up to tens of thousands of hours.
Food Processing Industry:
Due to compliance with food safety standards (such as FDA certification), self-lubricated scraper bearings perform well in food processing equipment without frequent replacement.
Agricultural machinery:
In high dust environments, the sealing design and self-lubricating characteristics of the self-lubricating scraper bearing enable it to operate stably for a long time.
Methods to improve wear resistance and extend service life
Optimize material selection
Select the appropriate material combination according to the specific working conditions. For example:
High load scenario: Choose a composite material containing MoS₂ or graphite.
High humidity scenario: Choose PTFE or nylon material.
Improved design
Increase the thickness of the bearing or adopt a multi-layer structure to improve load-bearing capacity and wear resistance.
Adding wear-resistant coatings (such as hard oxide or ceramic coating) to the bearing surface further enhances wear resistance.
Regular inspection and maintenance
Regularly check the wear condition of the bearings and clean the surface dust or impurities in time.
In extreme operating conditions, external lubricants can be appropriately supplemented to extend the service life.
Optimize operating conditions
Control load and speed to avoid overload operation.
Improve the sealing performance of the equipment and reduce external pollutants entering the bearing.
Through scientific selection and use, self-lubricating scraper bearings can significantly improve the reliability and economicality of the equipment.