Liquid bridge morphology and adhesion force evolution in bearings: Influence mechanisms and effects

The interfacial adhesive force changes dynamically during liquid bridge evolution. To elucidate the relationship between liquid bridge evolution and adhesive force variation in bearings, a fractal theory-based simulation model was developed to investigate liquid bridge rupture and splitting, incorporating the roughness of the outer ring raceway. After experimental validation of the model’s accuracy, a systematic analysis was conducted to solve the effects of shear flow velocity (u₀), surface roughness (R_a), and droplet impact on the liquid bridge. The results demonstrate that the splitting of the liquid bridge enhances the adhesive force between the components. The liquid bridge splitting and rupture time is more sensitive to u₀ than to the stretching height. When u₀ increases from 9.652 to 14.378 m/s, the rupture time shortens by 12%.