A Generalized Traction Curve for EHL Contacts

Abstract

In this paper the subject of friction prediction is revisited, with the aim of obtaining a general formula predicting the coefficient of friction over a wide range of operating conditions. By means of full numerical simulations of the smooth isothermal elliptic contact, and assuming an Eyring non-Newtonian behavior, the coefficient of friction is computed for a wide range of operating conditions. It is shown that with respect to sliding friction, all results can be presented on a single generalized friction curve relating a reduced coefficient of friction to a characteristic nondimensional shear stress. Finally, it is shown that some measured data presented in the literature when presented in terms of the derived parameters closely follow the derived behavior, which provides a validation of the theoretical results.