Experimental Investigations Into the Behavior of Elastohydrodynamic Lubricating Films

Abstract

This paper presents the results of experimental investigations conducted on a disk machine specially designed and constructed to determine film behavior under elastohydrodynamic lubrication conditions. Oil film thickness is measured by a novel electronic technique utilizing a capacitive transducer. Besides film geometry, measurements include temperature distribution and frictional traction in the film, all taken under pure sliding conditions. Recordings of full contact profile confirm by way of example the development of a critical reduction in film thickness towards the exit end of the Hertzian zone, this being accompanied by a critical increase in contact temperature. Further work on the subject is proceeding.