A prediction model for suction cavitation erosion in a journal bearing

Suction damage occurred often in dynamically loaded journal bearings. A new theoretical model, including lubrication module, boundary module and prediction module, was proposed to investigate the suction damage in a journal bearing. The results showed that, a stable cavitation area with steady temperature fields formed in the film rupture region, but no suction cavitation erosion occurred in a constant load journal bearing. It was concluded that, suction cavitation erosion occurred within the region of suction cavitation, and higher dimensionless deformation coefficients stood for more muscular suction damage strength within suction cavitation regions. It was beneficial to reduce transient impact force applied to a journal bearing for resisting suction cavitation erosion, leading to an increase of a periodic pressure coefficient.