Determination of the Carrying Ability of Metal-Fluoroplast Slide Bearings Using the Finite Element Method

Based on the proposed loading model of a sliding bearing, the dependence of the load-bearing capacity of reinforced metal fluoroplastic sliding bearings on their geometric characteristics and force factors was studied using the finite element method. A calculation of stresses and deformations in the most pliable antifriction layer was carried out. It is shown that the distribution of stresses and deformations in the bearing is extremely uniform and depends on the thickness of the antifriction layer and the height of the bearing. Criteria for assessing the performance of sliding bearings under load were introduced and based on these criteria the results were compared with experimental data. The agreement between calculated and experimental data allows us to use the resulting methodology to determine the load-bearing capacity of slide bearings. The solutions make it possible to move from the experimental method of determining the load-bearing capacity of metal fluoroplastic sliding bearings to the calculated one and to design bearings with predetermined strength characteristics. This will help specialists designing bearing units improve the quality and speed of their development.