New Concepts in Aircraft Journal Bearings.
Abstract
An exploratory development and test program was conducted to establish optimum materials and designs for composite material journal bearings in aircraft joints between structural components of both advanced composite and conventional metallic materials. An initial study and design phase evaluated the characteristics of candidate composite materials as they apply to highly loaded bearings in adverse environments. A second phase involved fabrication and testing of journal bearing configurations. In the study and design phase, composites of epoxy resin reinforced with fibers of graphite, glass, TFE, and Kevlar were evlauated in corrosion, strength, and wear/life tests. Cost, relative weight, and suitability for commercial manufacture were considered. Also, suitability for direct substitution of composite journal bearings for currently used metallic journal bearings was a major program goal. Early testing indicated that graphite filament-reinforced composites lacked suitable friction and wear characteristics and were subject to edge breakdown due to pin bending and accepted degrees of joint misalignment. The best combination of characteristics was obtained in filament wound glass or Kevlar fibers impregnated with epoxy resins. Suitable wear/life and friction characteristics were obtained by incorporating TFE fabric or sprayed TFE-enriched resin liners in the composite journal bearings. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA068619
Entities
People
- W. F. Lynn
Organizations
- Boeing Commercial Airplanes