Graphene based self-lubricating composites for hydropower bearings in extreme condition

Important results from the project

The final goal of this project was to develop new wear resistant and high performing graphene based polymer composites to be tested as bearing within hydropower application in dry and waterbased environmentally accepted lubricants. We have successfully developed new composites, characterized for tribological performances in both lab scale at University and semi-industrial prototype at Vattenfall site. The environmentally adaptive lubricant reduced wear and friction significantly. Developed materials showed promising performances for further investigation.

Expected long term effects

Commercially bearing materials, Orkot TXMM and Thorplas Blue were compared with UHMWPE and PPS/PTFE composites. Results showed that: for all tested materials with Glycerol as lubricant the coefficient of friction has been reduced (although more significant for LTU material up to 95%). Experimentally made composites compared with commercial materials performed better and provided a 50% reduction in COF when EAL was used. Wear tests showed 50-70% improved wear resistance in surface functionalised GO/rGO. Semi industrial prototypes bearing liner shows encouraging results.

Approach and implementation

The project was divided into work packages starting from manufacturing and processing graphene based composites, comparing them with commercially available materials, lab scale tribological characterization (wear, friction and lubrication effect) on tribological performance was carried out successfully. semi-industrial bearing was manufactured from UHMWPE composites and tested at Vattenfall site. The manufacturing of PPS/PTFE composite bearing was not successful and needs to be followed up in follow up SIO-grafen project. UHMWPE composites performed well.