Evaluation of Contact Stresses in Bearings Made of Al – Beryl Metal Matrix Composites by Finite Element Method

In the present investigation, interference fitted assemblies were analyzed using finite element method to evaluate contact stresses. The main objective of this research work is to develop metal matrix composite of commercially available pure aluminum reinforced with different weight percentage of Beryl to attain a most desirable property combination for bearings. A detailed analysis on the effect of bearing material on contact stresses was undertaken. The work covers the analysis based on Hertzian contact stresses. An appropriate finite element model was developed to analyze the pattern of contact stresses in the interference assemblies. Ansys workbench was used as a tool to construct the model and to perform analysis. The model was simulated by applying a pressure of 100 MPa and at different speeds of the shaft. A comparative study on the effect of bearing materials such as bronze, Al-SiC and Al-Beryl MMCs on contact stresses were clearly demonstrated. It has been found that the contact stresses in the bearings made of Al-Beryl metal matrix composite was in the range of 4678.7 to 4680 Pa at different speeds which was very much less when compared to the bronze and Al- SiC MMC. The results clearly demonstrated Al-Beryl can be used as one of the most suitable materials for fabricating bushes.