Friction-induced vibration and noise behaviors of a composite material modified by graphene nano-sheets

Abstract

Due to the weak hydrodynamic lubrication effect under low speed and heavy load in the starting or stopping state of ship propeller stern shafts, it is very difficult to form the effective lubricating films between water-lubricated polymer stern tube bearings and shafts. Under these extreme conditions, friction and wear usually are severe problems, which can induce frictional vibration and noise. In this study, graphene nano-sheets (GNS) were chosen to modify the polymer which was often made into the ship water-lubricated stern tube bearing. The friction-induced vibration and noise behaviors of the modified polymer materials were carried out using a wear test apparatus with precision vibration and noise sensors under the water-lubricated condition. The results showed that friction-induced vibration and noise behaviors of modified polymer materials strongly depended on the content of graphene nano-sheets and wear processes. GNS endowed the modified polymers with a limited excellent self-lubricating to reduce the vibration and noise behaviors. The modified polymer materials with GNS exhibited good friction-induced vibration and noise reduction properties. The knowledge gained in this study aimed at further comprehensively understanding the friction-induced vibration and noise behaviors of the polymer materials and designing a composite material with good self-lubricating and vibration reduction properties.