Simulation of tribological functionality of heterogeneous tribomaterials

We simulated the tribological functionality of two heterogeneous tribomaterials used in conformal contacts by means of a FEM-based approach: journal bearing material AlSn20 and polymeric sealing material PTFE with bronze filler particles. For AlSn20, the emergency running capability, which is based on the activation (melting) of the soft phase tin, was simulated taking into account thermo-elasto-plastic behaviour of the material. For the PTFE bronze compound, we analysed the load bearing capacity of the particle-structured surface with varying volumetric fraction of particles, temperature, load and creep behaviour of the PTFE Matrix. The results show benefit of heterogeneous designs over homogeneous materials.