Surface topography of non-operated slide journal micro-bearings

In this paper authors present results of measurements of slide journal bearings surface topography measured with an atomic force microscope (AFM). The results of measurements of surface topography were presented in the form of surface topography maps, three-dimensional graphs and some examples of selected cross-sections of investigated surface in the form of profile graphs. Measurements of surface topography were made for journals and sleeves of slide journal micro-bearings from personal computers' hard drives and fans, with the Atomic Force Microscope NT-206 produced in MTM in Minsk, Republic of Belarus. The values of profile roughness parameters Ra and Rq and the distance between maximum peak height and maximum valley depth are presented as well. The application SurfaceXplorerŽ was used for processing and visualization of the data obtained from AFM NT-206, which besides from generating 2D, 3D and profile diagrams, was used to calculate and draw graph of height distribution. Surface pictures of investigated bearings sleeves were made with the optical microscope Zeiss Axiovert 25+. That measurements give information about micro-grooves dimensions and location. On the surfaces of studied micro-bearings some micro-grooves can be found in form of herringbone, with depth about 1.5mi m and width 150/mi m. Received information about micro-grooves geometry will allow to develop proper theory of hydrodynamic lubrication for micro-bearings with micro-grooves. Topography of surfaces of investigated journal micro-bearings will be reconsidered after exploiting them proper amount of time.