Friction and Wear Performances of Materials for Wind Turbine Sliding Bearing Bushes

Abstract

This study aimed to enhance the friction and wear characteristics of materials for wind turbine sliding-bearing bushes operating under low-speed and heavy-load conditions. To this end, a high-entropy CoCrFeNiMo alloy coating was applied to the surface of 9Cr18 bearing steel, and Ni-Cr-Mo-Si alloy coating was applied to MTCrMoCu30 wear-resistant cast iron using laser cladding. The effects of varying loads on the friction and wear properties of these coatings were investigated, and the friction and wear properties were compared. Furthermore, the overall priority indices for both groups of bearing bush coatings were assessed. The findings indicated that the friction coefficient, wear quality, and wear rate of CoCrFeNiMo high-entropy alloy coating initially decreased and then increased with the increase in applied load, dominated by abrasive wear. By contrast, the friction coefficient of the Ni-Cr-Mo-Si alloy coating increased, and wear quality and wear rate initially increased and then decreased, indicating the coexistence of adhesive wear and abrasive wear. Therefore, Ni-Cr-Mo-Si alloy coating exhibited a high overall priority index and favorable friction and wear properties.