Observation on the deformation of dimpled surface in soft-EHL contacts

In order to study the deformation of a textured surface in soft elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) contacts, observation of the deformed surface around the dimple was realized and conducted under a sliding condition with various loads by using optical interferometry. The results show that uneven deformation emerges around the dimple. Both the applied load and sliding velocity have significant influence on the deformation of the soft surface, especially on the deformation pattern. Contrary to the usual assumption, the effect of shear strains in the soft slider on the total surface deformation is increasingly noticeable, and it results in unexpectedly deformation patterns around the dimple.