Lifetime prediction of seLf-Lubricating sphericaL pLain bearings based on physics-of-faiL ure modeL and acceLerated degradation test prognozowanie czasu pracy samosmarujących łożysk śLizgowych w oparciu o modeL fizyki uszkodzeń oraz przyspieszone badania degradacji

Due to small friction coefficient and no need for lubrication during operation, self-lubricating spherical plain bearings (SSPBs) have been widely used in operation and transmission systems in aerospace, nuclear power plants, and ship equipment and they are key components of these systems. SSPBs failure will directly affect the operational reliability and safety of the equipment; therefore, it is necessary to accurately predict the service life of SSPBs to define reasonable maintenance plans and replacement cycles and to ensure reliability and safety of vital equipment. So far, lifetime prediction of SSPB has been primarily based on empirical formulae established by most important bearing manufacturers. However, these formulae are lack of strong theoretical basis; the correction coefficients are difficult to determine, resulting in low accuracy of lifetime prediction. In an accelerated degradation test (ADT), the load is increased to accelerate the SSPB wear process. ADT provides a feasible way for accurate lifetime prediction of SSPB in a short period. In this paper, wear patterns are studied and methods of wear analysis are presented. Then, physics-offailure model which considers SSPB wear characteristics, structure parameters and operation parameters is established. Moreover, ADT method for SSPB is studied. Finally, lifetime prediction method of SSPBs based on physics-of-failure model and ADT is established to provide a theoretical method for quick and accurate lifetime prediction of SSPBs.