Experimental study of elastohydrodynamic lubrication behaviour under single oil droplet supply

In this study, an oil droplet passing through an elastohydrodynamic lubrication contact is observed via interferometry, and the effects of droplet size, entrainment speed, load, and slide/roll ratio (SRR) are studied. The results show that the surface area of the droplet is enlarged because of the squeeze spread and capillary force at the inlet region, which influence the film growth. With a large droplet size, the spreading diameter increases and a thick film is generated. When the entrainment speed increases, the surface area enlargement of the oil droplet at the inlet is found to be insufficient, and only a local dimple-shaped film is formed. The SRR has a direct effect on the lubricant distribution. In particular, the load and viscosity effects exhibit different characteristics compared with the case of typical fully flooded lubrication.