Contact Surface Temperature Models for Finite Bodies in Dry and Boundary Lubricated Sliding

Abstract

A model is proposed for use in determining the contact surface temperature in dry and boundary lubricated sliding systems. The model uses the concepts of small scale and large scale heat flow restrictions to divide the temperature increase in a sliding contact into two contributions, a nominal surface temperature rise and a local temperature rise. The model is particularly useful in studying the sliding surface temperature in bodies of finite thickness and in cases when the sliding contact area repeatedly sweeps over the same path on one of the contacting solids. Multiple heat sources within the real area of contact can be included, as can the effects of a cooling and/or lubricating fluid. Experiments were carried out to measure the contact surface temperature rise in several dry and boundary lubricated sliding systems. The experimental results were found to agree with the model.