Tribological study of the effects of speed on friction of grease
Greases are common lubricants in many applications with variable sliding speed such as wind turbines or gearboxes. It is crucial to know the coefficient of friction over the entire speed range to ensure the highest efficiency of the component. We show here how to use a pin-on-disc tribometer for measurement of friction of grease at a very broad range of speeds.
Wind turbines, gearboxes, and many other applications rely on proper lubrication of moving components to ensure maximum efficiency and long service life. The
lubricant, often applied in the form of grease, reduces friction between moving parts, prevents excessive heat generation and damage. In many applications, it is
essential to understand the frictional properties of lubricants across different sliding speeds, since this is a key factor influencing friction. For instance, in wind turbines, operating speeds fluctuate constantly between standstill and high-speed rotation due to different wind strength. To guarantee reliable performance, it is therefore crucial to know how the grease behaves under such varying conditions: an ideal lubricant should maintain a low coefficient of friction across the entire speed range (e.g., from calm winds to storm-level winds in wind turbines).
These frictional properties at different speeds can be easily determined using a pin-on-disc tribometer, which simulates real operating conditions on a smaller scale
and provides quick insights into the tribological performance of a given material and lubricant pair. By varying both speed and pressure, different lubrication
regimes relevant to the application can be explored.
The resulting relationship between friction and speed is commonly represented as the Stribeck curve.
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