Effect of ambient temperature on the formation mechanism of PTFE liner transfer film of spherical plain bearings

The relationship between the formation of the transfer film and the tribological properties of the self-lubricating spherical plain bearing was studied at the ambient temperature of 25–145 °C. The results show that the wear, friction coefficient and friction temperature increase of the spherical plain bearings all decreased first and then increased with the increase of the ambient temperature. The general trend is that the bearing has the most excellent anti-friction and wear resistance at 55–85 °C. An increase in ambient temperature will accelerate the formation speed of PTFE transfer film and shorten the running-in period of the bearing, but the ambient temperature above 85 °C will shorten the duration of the PTFE transfer film, thus accelerating the bearing into the degradation period. The transfer film coverage of the liner after wear was characterized, and it was found that the transfer film coverage was the largest when the ambient temperature was 85 °C. The wear form of the bearing is mainly abrasive wear and adhesive wear, and the aramid fiber is more prone to adhesive wear. The anti-friction effect of the bearing is determined by the PTFE transfer film. Elevated ambient temperature can promote the formation of PTFE transfer film and enhance the antifriction effect, but if the ambient temperature is too high, the wear resistance of the PTFE transfer film will be reduced, thus reducing the friction reduction effect.