Thermal Effects in Rolling/Sliding EHD Contacts: Part 1—Experimental Measurements of Surface Pressure and Temperature

Abstract

This paper discusses the results of a series of experiments to measure the pressure and temperature distribution between a pair of elastohydrodynamically lubricated (EHD) disks. Three lubricants have been studied: a synthetic paraffinic oil (XRM-109F), a polyphenyl ether (OS-124), and a traction fluid (Santotrac 50). Pressure and temperature readings throughout the contact are presented as three-dimensional plots. Simultaneous measurements of the EHD film thickness, and the tractive force between disks under slip conditions are also included. The variables are disk load and slip at a fixed surface speed. The highest temperatures were measured with the traction fluid which recorded a temperature rise of 50 degrees C through the contact.