Hybrid Rolling Element Bearings: a New Answer Facing the Problem of Debris Entrapment

Vincent Strubel (1) , Nicolas Fillot (1) , Fabrice Ville (2) , Philippe Vergne (1) , Alexandre Mondelin (3) , Yves Maheo (3)

1 TMI - Tribologie et Mécanique des Interfaces
2 SMC - Systèmes Mécaniques et Contacts
3 SKF - Aerospace [Saint-Vallier]

How can bearings run even faster and however stay reliable? This is the complex question that try to answer manufacturers using hybrid bearings with steel rings and ceramic rolling elements. Under extreme conditions, as for example within an airplane turbofan, bearings need to be simultaneously efficient at high speeds and robust facing the recurrent problem of debris contamination. This study highlights the new perspectives, offered by the use in bearings of such hybrid ceramic/steel couples. The work compares particle flow simulations that reveal particle entrapment tendencies with experiments using contaminated lubricant that report effective debris entrapments. Thus it allows to underline both the interesting abilities and the remaining issues of this technology.

Keywords: Ball bearings; Ceramics materials; Wear particle analysis

Domains: Other

Vincent Strubel, Nicolas Fillot, Fabrice Ville, Philippe Vergne, Alexandre Mondelin, et al.. Hybrid Rolling Element Bearings: a New Answer Facing the Problem of Debris Entrapment . STLE 70th Annual Meeting, May 2015, Dallas, United States. ⟨hal-01185859⟩