LAB 8:

Wear Testing
Jose Padilla
Group #12 Jose Padilla, Kevin Hsu, Justin Wang, Yutong Liu, Zoe Li

Date Submitted: 4/28/16

Date Performed: 4/14/16
Lab Section: 106
Lab GSI: Ritwik Ghosh

Abstract:
The overall purpose of this lab was to analyze the effect of frictional
wear on a specimen submerged in two different types of lubricant. By
comparing the wear results from the specimens immersed in mineral oil that
of 30W motor oil, it was demonstrated that friction coefficient corresponding
to the 30W motor oil was able to reduce wear. This is can be attributed to
how the lubricant can be modelled using the Stribeck curve that plots friction
coefficient versus v/L. This can all be determined through the
photographs taken from the optical microscope that show wear patterns on
the ball bearing specimens. Showing that the higher the coefficient of friction
is, the larger the wear patterns on the specimens are going to break. All
leading to quicker failure of the specimen in relation to the same specimen in
a lubricant with less friction.

Introduction:
Evaluating the mechanical response of materials under rotational loading to induce wear in the
specimen is an important factor in choosing not only the material to be used, but also the lubricant to
immerse the specimen in. That is why the analysis of wear patterns on a specimen under this described
loading must be completed to insure the durability of materials in industry. The purpose of this lab
experiment is to demonstrate how the viscosity of 30W engine oil will improve the durability of a
specimen under described loading versus that of mineral oil. Proving the relationship that the Stribeck
curve predicts with friction coefficient versus v/L.
In this lab, Falex ball bearing specimens of specific Rockwell Hardness underwent wear testing to
demonstrate that lubrication effects the overall life of a material. By using different lubricants, we were
able to show that more severe wear patterns occurred on specimens immersed in mineral oil as compared
to 30W engine oil. We were also able to demonstrate that as the applied force increased the apparent
coefficient of friction of the specimen increased as well. Thus showing the relationship that viscosity of
the lubricant will affect friction in the system and that applied forces affect friction also. Demonstrating
an appropriate model for how materials behave in conditions that cause wear.

Theory:
In wear testing, to understand the mechanical response that is
occurring, some terms must first be defined. The first is wear itself which is
the surface damage due to the removal of material during sliding contact.
Lubricant is a substance interposed between two surfaces to reduce friction
and wear. Coefficient of Friction is that ratio of tangential force generated
during relative surface movement. And seizure resistance is the ability of the
material to resist physical joining when direct metal-to-metal contact occurs.
Sliding friction between two specimens can be significantly reduced if
there is a lubricant that causes a thin film to form between the materials.
The size of these films and the average surface roughness of the materials
can then be used to determine what lubrication regime the specimens are in.
Based off of their regime and the Stribeck curve, the amount of friction in the
system can be determined.
As seen there are three regimes for which specimens can exist as
described by the Stribeck Curve. The first is the Boundary Lubrication regime
where the rough surfaces are very close (h<R) causing high amounts of
friction and wear. By adding more lubricant the next regime transitioned into
is the Mixed Lubrication regime. This is defined as intermittent contact
between the sliding surfaces resulting in minor amounts of friction. This is

because a significant amount of the load

applied is absorbed by the pressurized fluid
trapped between the specimens. The last
regime is the Hydrodynamic Lubrication
regime where the film separating the two
surfaces is very large. This cause reduced low
amounts of friction and reduces wear
significantly. But as the curve suggests, the
friction begins to increase as the lubrication parameter increases, this is due
to the increase in thickness of the viscous medium which begins to act with
more friction.
In order to determine the amount of friction in the system following
relations can be determined based of definition and geometry.
=

Fd
Ld

Where Fd is the horizontal force applied to each contact point and Ld is the
normal force applied at the contact point. Based off the given geometry and
set up of the experiment friction can be defined as follows:
=

2 2 F1 D 1
Db L

Where F1 is the horizontal force measured by the load cell, D1 is the

horizontal distance from the load cell to center of rotation, Db is the diameter
of the ball bearings, and L is the total normal load.

Experimental Procedure:
For this experiment, a four-ball Falex wear tester was used to generate
frictional wear on the four ball bearing system. Three of the four ball
bearings were contained in an oil cap and immersed in a fluid while the
fourth ball bearing was held inside the Falex collet. Four tests were then
carried out at different loads and times, but all at the same temperature.

Lubricant

Load (kg)

Time (sec)

Temperature
(C)

Test 1
Test 2
Test 3

Mineral Oil
30W Motor
Oil
Mineral Oil

30
30

1500
1500

75
75

80

720

75

Test 4

30W Motor
Oil

80

Results:
The overall purpose of this lab

Discussion:
The overall purpose of this lab

Conclusion:
The overall purpose of this lab

720

75