On the lift-off speed in journal bearings

The development and exploration of the Stribeck curve have a long history. It originated based on a series of experiments that were devoted to the characterization of the behavior of fluid-film bearings, which proved to be useful for defining the boundary, mixed and hydrodynamic lubrication regimes. In this paper, we present the results of a series of experiments with a journal bearing operating under different loads and oil inlet temperatures. Of interest in the present study is to explore the behavior of lift-off speed and the factors that affect it. An equation is proposed to predict the lift-off speed. Its results are compared with Vogelpohl's equation.