Influence of surface roughness on pressure distribution and film thickness in EHL-contacts

To better understand the effect of surface roughness and texture on the formation of a lubricating oil film the mean film thickness and pressure distribution in the Hertzian contact zone were systematically investigated with an FZG twin-disk test rig. The pressure distribution was measured using thin film sensors. The influence of roughness and surface texture was investigated as a function of load and sum velocity. Different types of surfaces were produced by circumferential and transverse grinding as well as structuring by etching.