A study on the effect of starvation in mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication

The effect of starvation in mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) regime is studied. Numerical simulations are conducted for both line and point (elliptical) contacts with the consideration of the surface roughness. The degree of starvation is linked directly to the reduction in the lubricant mass flow rate. Results are presented to gain insight on the influence of starvation on the film thickness as well as the interaction between the surface asperities. Extensive sets of simulation results are used to quantify the effect of starvation in the EHL of rough surfaces. Expressions are developed to predict the percentage of the load carried by the surface asperities (asperity load ratio) as well as the reduction of the central and minimum film thickness in the starved mixed EHL.