Numerical Simulation of Traction in Rolling/Sliding Contacts

Abstract

A new model of traction in elastohydrodynamically lubricated contact is presented to study shear stress distributions. Results of full numerical analyses of elliptical contacts under rolling and sliding are presented. This study is confined to elastohydrodynamically lubricated contacts of relatively low load. Effects of dimensionless parameters such as speed, normal load, and elliptical parameter and coefficient of limiting shear stress on shear stress distributions have been analyzed. Moreover, the influence of slide-roll ratio on visualized shear stress in EHD contacts has been studied. It has been found that the higher slide-roll ratios induce higher maximum shear stress. Shear stresses in fluid film and those on surfaces vary with many factors that reveal the mechanism of traction in EHD conjunction zones.