Effect of large-area texture/slip surface on journal bearing considering cavitation

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of large-area texture/slip surface, especially the area and position of large-area texture surface on journal bearing, and improve the tribological performances of journal bearing. Design/methodology/approach - A modified texture/slip numerical boundary condition with double parameters is presented and is applied onto the region where surface textures locate to represent the impact of actual texture/slip surface. A phase change condition is used to analyze cavitation phenomena. Findings - The global/cumulative texture effect can be represented by applying texture/slip condition onto the region where it locates. The area and position of texture/slip surface would significantly affect the cavitation and load-carrying capacity. Texture/slip surface would not affect the pressure and load-carrying capacity when it locates at cavitation zone. The effect of texture/slip surface on load-carrying capacity would be beneficial if it locates at the pressure rise region, but its effect would be adverse if it locates at the pressure drop region. Well-designed texture/slip surface can improve tribological performances. Originality/value - The developed texture/slip boundary condition can be a suitable and useful tool to analyze the effect of large-area texture/slip surface and especially to optimize the area and position of large-area texture surface. This approach can be complementary to conventional approach which is used to analyze the influence of textures' real configurations and parameters.