Hersey Number
Calculate the Hersey number of a bearing, H = μ·N ÷ P, from the dynamic viscosity μ, the rotational speed N and the specific pressure P. The dimensionless result is the horizontal-axis variable of the Stribeck curve, which maps the lubrication regimes: very low values indicate boundary lubrication (metal-to-metal contact, high friction and wear); intermediate values, mixed lubrication; and high values, full hydrodynamic lubrication (complete film, minimum friction). Tracking the Hersey number helps keep the bearing in the hydrodynamic regime, away from contact. Enter the viscosity, the speed and the pressure.
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Hersey number and the Stribeck curve
The Hersey number (H = μ·N ÷ P, viscosity × speed ÷ pressure) is the key to knowing which lubrication regime a bearing runs in — information captured by the celebrated Stribeck curve, which plots the friction coefficient against the Hersey number. The curve reveals three distinct regions. On the left (low Hersey: thin oil, low speed or heavy load) lies boundary lubrication: the film is far too thin, surface asperities touch, and what keeps the parts from seizing is only a thin chemical layer of additives bonded to the metal — friction runs high and wear occurs. In the middle comes mixed lubrication: part of the load rides on the film, part on asperity contact; friction drops to a minimum. On the right (high Hersey) sits full hydrodynamic lubrication: the oil film separates the surfaces completely, no metal-to-metal contact and no wear occur, and friction comes only from shearing the oil — climbing slightly upward again with viscosity. The practical insight is powerful: the point of least friction falls at the mixed-to-hydrodynamic transition, and many bearings get designed to run to the right of it, in the full-film regime, which secures long life. Watch out for transients, though: at start-up and shutdown the speed drops to zero, the Hersey number collapses, and the bearing passes through the boundary region of heavy wear — which is why most of an engine's wear happens on a cold start. Enter the viscosity, the speed and the pressure.
Related Tools
Film Thickness Ratio (λ)
Calculate the specific film thickness ratio (lambda), λ = h_min ÷ √(Ra₁² + Ra₂²), from the minimum lubricant film thickness h_min and the surface roughnesses Ra of the two contacting surfaces. The dimensionless result indicates the elastohydrodynamic lubrication regime: λ < 1 means direct asperity contact (boundary lubrication, high wear); 1 < λ < 3, mixed lubrication; and λ > 3, full separation of the surfaces by the oil film (full regime, long life). It is a key criterion in gear and rolling-bearing design. Enter the minimum film thickness and the surface roughnesses.
Bearing Power Loss
Calculate the power dissipated by friction in a bearing, P = T × ω, multiplying the friction torque T by the angular velocity ω (rad/s). The result, in watts, is the mechanical energy converted to heat per unit time by friction — a loss that reduces efficiency and heats the lubricant and components. This heat must be dissipated (by convection or oil circulation) to keep a safe operating temperature, since overheating degrades the lubricant and can cause seizure. Estimating the dissipated power is essential to size the cooling and the oil flow. Enter the friction torque and the angular velocity.
Friction Torque
Calculate the friction torque in a shaft or bearing, T = μ·F·r, multiplying the friction coefficient μ by the normal force (load) F and the radius r where friction acts. The result, in N·m, is the moment friction opposes to rotation — the torque the motor must overcome just to turn the assembly, without doing useful work. Reducing friction torque (with lubrication, rolling bearings and good finishes) saves energy and lowers heating. Multiplied by the angular velocity, it gives the power dissipated by friction. Enter the friction coefficient, the force and the radius.
Sommerfeld Number
Calculate the Sommerfeld number of a journal bearing, S = (r ÷ c)²·(μ·N ÷ P), from the radius-to-clearance ratio (r/c), the lubricant dynamic viscosity μ, the rotational speed N (rev/s) and the specific pressure P (load over projected area). The dimensionless result is the characteristic parameter defining a hydrodynamic bearing's behaviour: it sets the minimum oil film thickness, shaft position, friction and lubricant flow. Low values mean a heavily loaded bearing (contact risk); high values, excessive clearance. It is the basis of bearing design via Raimondi-Boyd charts. Enter the r/c ratio, the viscosity, the speed and the pressure.
Bearing PV Factor
Calculate the PV factor of a bearing or self-lubricating bushing, PV = P × V, multiplying the specific pressure P (load over projected area) by the sliding velocity V at the surface. The result, in MPa·m/s, is the limiting criterion for selecting materials for non-force-lubricated bearings (sintered bronze bushings, polymers like PTFE and nylon): each material has a maximum allowable PV value, above which the friction heat cannot be dissipated and the bearing fails by melting or accelerated wear. PV is kept below the material limit with a safety margin. Enter the specific pressure and the velocity.
Eccentricity Ratio
Calculate the eccentricity ratio of a hydrodynamic bearing, ε = e ÷ c, dividing the eccentricity e (shaft centre offset from bearing centre) by the radial clearance c. The result (between 0 and 1) describes the shaft position within the bearing under load: ε = 0 means a centred shaft (no load); ε near 1 means the shaft nearly touches the bearing (heavily loaded, minimum film at the limit). Eccentricity grows with load and decreases with viscosity and speed. The minimum film thickness is h_min = c·(1 − ε). Enter the eccentricity and the radial clearance.
The results provided by this tool are for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute professional, financial, medical, legal, tax or accounting advice. Always confirm important decisions with a qualified professional and official sources.