Thermal expansion simulation of bi-directional taper formation in composite hydrodynamic thrust bearings

Tapered-land hydrodynamic thrust bearings require taper depths of approximately 20-100 μm to operate efficiently within the hydrodynamic regime. Machining the tapers in traditionally manufactured bearings increase production time and costs. The thermo-mechanical analysis presented in this work shows that the utilization of composite laminas in place of taper machining may be used to provide taper formation in hydrodynamic bearings by exploiting the thermal expansion produced from frictional heating. Thermal expansion of three different carbon/epoxy composite layups (AS-4/3501-6, IM7/3501-6, T-300/3501-6) was analyzed using ABAQUS/CAE composite module. The analysis shows that the composites provide bidirectional taper depths of 24.25 μm, 23.7 μm, and 22.27 μm while being subjected to in-service film pressures and temperatures.