Tribological properties of doped zirconium dioxide crystals under water lubrication

The issues of a ceramic plain bearing performance under friction in the water are discussed in this article. Bearing bushings made from nanostructured partially stabilized zirconium dioxide crystals doped with rare earth elements under friction on steel and ceramic shafts are investigated. The statement about the possibility of using zirconium ceramic materials in bearings of multistage submersible centrifugal pumps for oil production is substantiated. The efficiency of alloying crystals to improve crack resistance is analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the tribological properties of the bearing when using steel and ceramic shafts. The results of comparative tribological tests of samples of the studied materials, bench tests of full-scale bearing bushings carried out under water and dry friction are presented. Based on the study, it is proposed to make bushings from a zirconium dioxide crystal for working on a steel shaft. It has been established that this plain bearing can withstand the emergency mode of friction under water or dry friction for half an hour.