Lubrication theory, tribological characteristics, and performance enhancement strategies of hydrodynamic thrust bearings: comprehensive review

As key supporting components in large-scale equipment, the lubrication performance of hydrodynamic thrust bearings directly determines the operational efficiency, stability and service life of the entire mechanical system. With the rapid development of modern industry, the demand for complex working conditions poses severe challenges to the lubrication systems of hydrodynamic thrust bearings, making the accurate evaluation and prediction of their friction and lubrication behaviors a critical technical issue in the field of mechanical engineering. This paper systematically summarizes the research progress of lubrication theories for hydrodynamic thrust bearings, covering the evolutionary process from early hydrodynamic (HD) lubrication theory to thermoelastic hydrodynamic (TEHD) lubrication theory that integrates thermal and elastic effects, and highlights the breakthroughs of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology in simulating complex flow fields. Concurrently, recent advances in thrust bearing performance testing technologies are summarized, which include fundamental tribological tests and bearing model test rigs, with detailed discussion on the progress in monitoring key parameters such as oil film pressure, thickness, and temperature. Performance enhancement strategies are systematically elaborated from two primary perspectives: the improvement of thrust bearing liner materials and the optimization of surface textures. Finally, by comprehensively analyzing existing research, future research directions are outlined, emphasizing the development of high-fidelity multi-physics coupling models, the integration of multi-sensor-integrated distributed dynamic measurement with algorithmic innovation, and the synergistic design and optimization of materials and surface textures. This paper aims to provide a systematic reference for the design, performance improvement, and cutting-edge research of hydrodynamic thrust bearings under complex working conditions.