The lubrication effect of micro-pits on parallel sliding faces of SiC in water

Silicon carbide is regarded as a promising material for sliding bearings and mechanical seals working in water. In order to improve its load carrying capacity (or anti-seizure ability) in water, micro-pits were formed on one of the contact surfaces by ion reaction etching. The effect of micro-pits on the critical load for the transition from EHL to mixed lubrication was studied experimentally in the cases of bearing type contact (with relatively rich water supply) and seal type contact (with relatively poor water supply). In order to understand the mechanisms of the lubrication effect of micro-pits, the experimental results obtained from bearing type contact and seal type contact were compared, and a theoretical analysis was carried out.