Effect of Surface Roughness on Elastohydrodynamic Line Contact

Abstract

A numerical solution of an elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) contact between two long, rough surface cylinders is obtained. A theoretical solution of pressure distribution, elastohydrodynamic load, and film thickness for given speeds and for lubricants with pressure-dependent viscosity, material properties of cylinders, and surface roughness parameters is made by simultaneous solution of an elasticity equation and the Reynolds equation for two partially lubricated rough surfaces. The pressure due to asperity contact is calculated by assuming a Gaussian distribution of surface irregularities. The elastic deformation is found from hydrodynamic and contact pressures by using plane strain analysis. The effect of surface roughness on EHL loads, speeds, and central film thicknesses is studied. The results indicate that for a constant central film thickness (1) increasing the surface roughness decreases the EHL load and (2) there is little variation in minimum film thickness as the surface roughness is increased.