Numerical analysis of self-lubricating radial spherical plain bearings and investigations on fatigue damage mechanisms of the liner

With ABAQUS software, a 3D simplified model for finite element analysis (FEA) was established for a radial spherical plain bearing with Kevlar/PTFE fabric woven liner, which can simulate different motions of the inner ring. Motion directions, friction forces and wear depths can cause offset distributions of higher concentrated contact pressures on the liner. The amplitudes or offset directions of higher contact pressures change periodically during motions. Different fatigue damage mechanisms such as surface fatigue wear, impact effect, and sweep deformation of the liner were analyzed. Fatigue behaviors of the liner were validated by experimental results.