On friction regimes in quantitative elastohydrodynamics

This paper identifies the different friction regimes encountered in elastohydrodynamic lubricated point contacts using a quantitative, physics-based approach. The idea is to link different traction regimes to dimensionless numbers and identify ranges of those numbers where a given regime is encountered or dominates the friction response of the contact. A numerical investigation of traction in point contacts lubricated with a typical mineral oil is employed. The measured thermo-physical properties of the oil are used without any modification to force agreement with experiments. The authors propose four friction regimes delimited by the combined values of three dimensionless parameters.

► Use of actual measured lubricant properties in numerical simulations. ► Identification of dimensionless numbers that are relevant to EHL traction. ► Quantitative delineation of traction regimes in EHL contacts. ► Limiting-shear-stress and friction plateau do not necessarily occur simultaneously. ► Limiting stress pressure coefficient cannot be deduced from friction plateau.