Wear Behavior of Notebook Computer Hinges

This study assesses the tribological behaviors of the hinge specimens for notebook computer. The hinge can be used on various electronic products, such as Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens and mobile phones. The effects of different materials and surface conditions on the tribological behaviors of hinges under different lubrication conditions (lubricant L-I or L-II) are discussed. Tribological performance of the various specimens was evaluated by TE77 reciprocating friction machine using cylinder on flat method with line contact mode under different conditions. Additionally, a Life Test Machine is utilized to evaluate the reliability and life cycle of various actual hinge mechanisms. A Scanning Electronic Microscope is used for fractographic analysis of worn surfaces after wear test. Experiment results show that Lubricant L-I can reduce severe wear, and markedly improves the wear behaviors of S45C and SK5. Moreover, wear performance of the electroless-nickel-plated sample is dependent on bonding strength of the coating film. Wear tests of specimens with different surface patterns show that the pitting pattern has the least wear loss, followed by the plane pattern, and the cross slot pattern is the worst. The actual life test results of the hinges show that the roundness of the bearing affects the distribution of contact stress and it is the dominant factor for hinge life cycle.