Abstract: This paper focused on the difficult points existing in the reliability analysis of the machine elements wear. An on-line measuring rig used in the accelerated wear test of the thrush sliding bearing was developed. The main experimental research accomplishments on the wear process of the thrust sliding bearing were reported in the paper. Based on precise measurement, a new theory and method for the reliability calculation of machine elements wear were proposed.

Key words: thrust sliding bearing, accelerated wear test, probability distribution of weak, initial edge wear