Thermal Stability of Models of Rough Elastohydrodynamic Systems

Abstract

Asperity interactions in the inlet zone of an elastohydrodynamic system may increase the local temperatures in that zone and cause a significant decrease in the minimum thickness of the lubricant film. Theoretical studies of various model systems, in which the direct effect of the roughness of the surfaces on the hydrodynamics has been ignored, show that the systems remain thermally stable under the most realistic assumptions made in the various models. It is therefore unlikely that the mechanism studied is that of scuffing.