Experimental Study on the Tribological Performance of Shark Denticle-Inspired Texture for Roller Cone Bit Bearings

During drilling in complex formations, the sliding bearings of roller cone bits are continuously subjected to low-speed, heavy-load, and boundary lubrication conditions, under which adhesive failure readily occurs, severely limiting drilling efficiency. To enhance their wear resistance, a bionic texture inspired by shark denticles was designed and compared with conventional rectangular and circular textures. An equivalent pin–disk contact model was established based on Hertzian contact theory, and tribological experiments were conducted under typical formation conditions using a friction and wear testing machine. The friction coefficient, friction torque, and wear volume of different textures were measured under both lubricated and dry contact conditions, and the underlying mechanisms were elucidated through three-dimensional surface morphology analysis. The results show that the shark denticle-inspired texture reduced the friction coefficient and wear volume by 33.3% and 35%, respectively, under lubrication, while suppressing debris intrusion at the frictional interface under dry contact, thereby providing a degree of surface protection. This study offers theoretical guidance and experimental evidence for advancing the engineering application of bionic tribology in the petroleum industry.