Study of the tribological characteristics of the needle bearing-transmission shaft coupling

The paper presents a comparative assessment of the sustainability of parts hardened by chemical thermal treatment and overlaying of wear-resistant materials. Based on the structural and energy theory applied to the working conditions of needle bearings, main wearing regularities, selection of wear-resistant materials, and influence of lubricant compounds on the functional capability of tribological couplings are shown. The conditions of the transition from the normal cycle of mechanochemical wear (microscale) to the oxidative and fatigue (macroscale) wear are considered.