A strategy for wear analysis using numerical and experimental tools, applied to orbital type hydraulic motors

An accurate and reliable wear analysis requires detailed knowledge of the tribological conditions of the studied system. In this work, a numerical model which can quantify wear and is applicable to hydraulic motors is developed. Detailed tribological knowledge can be acquired through strategic experimental testing and numerical simulations. The model is constructed to include the effect on wear from varying lubricant film thickness. The development of the wear model includes consideration of wear observed in the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of tested motors. The model is of the Archard type, in which the k-value is estimated from experiments, after considering the effect of lubrication. The contact pressure is the solution to a lubrication model that governs both the hydrodynamics of the lubricant film and the direct contact between the rough surfaces. To validate the model, a hydraulic motor is run at different operating conditions and the apparent wear depth is analysed after the tests. Numerical simulations mimicking the same configuration are performed and the predicted wear depths are compared to the experimental results. Similarities and differences are discussed and it is evident that a clear correlation exists between the wear predicted with the model and the measurement data of the apparent wear in the hydraulic motor. There are also discrepancies because of the model simplicity and the uncertainty in the specifications of the tested system. The results imply that wear analysis using numerical simulations aid the understanding of wear in machinery. The combined knowledge of physical conditions on different important scales enables in-depth analysis with numerical tools which cannot be achieved through experimental investigations alone. Furthermore, the numerical model can be refined leading to better wear predictions.