Study on temperature rise in the screw pair under high frequent oscillation

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the mechanism of heat generation in a screw, and investigates the heat flux in the connection screw pair under high frequent oscillation along the axial direction. Heat generated in the screw under high frequent oscillation could be observed in a lot of situations and was significant, and it could cause damage of screw joining and transmission.

Design/methodology/approach

A heat flux model in a screw pair under high frequent oscillation along the axial direction is established. Bulk temperature field in the connected parts is calculated by means of finite element methods. A testing device aimed to temperature rise measurement in a thread pair under high frequent oscillation is built. Temperature rises under different operation conditions are measured.

Findings

The heat flux generated in the screw pair because of friction between the contact surfaces of the screw thread is obtained. The effects of oscillating amplitude and frequency on heat flux are obtained. It is found that amplitude and frequency have a significant influence on the heat generated under high frequent oscillation. The numerical results show good agreement with the numerical results.

Research limitations/implications

This study has some limitations; for example, the friction coefficient and the relative sliding displacement between the thread surfaces need further accurate research.

Practical implications

Heat generated in a screw under high frequent oscillation is very rarely mentioned in previous research papers. The methods used in this paper could be used to evaluate the heat flux and temperature under high frequent oscillations. The temperature could be used to calculate the thermal stress and expansion in the screw thread under high frequent oscillation. The screw connections need to be protected from the damage because of heat stress and from getting loose because of heat expansion of the connected parts.

Originality/value

The mechanisms of heat generation in the screw pair under high frequent oscillation are studied. The model of heat flux in the screw under high frequency oscillation is established, and it could be used to calculate the heat flux under different operating conditions. The transient temperature field of the connected parts is given. A test facility was built and the experiment to measure the temperatures of the bolt and nut was carried out. The results had good agreement.

Citation

Xizhi, M. and Gang, W. (2016), "Study on temperature rise in the screw pair under high frequent oscillation", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 68 No. 2, pp. 197-205. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-07-2015-0102