Film Thickness Formula for Thermal EHL Line Contact Considering a New Reynolds–Carreau Equation

Abstract

This article presents thermal EHL calculations for line contacts using a new analytical form of the Reynolds equation for lubricants whose rheological behaviour follows a modified Carreau model proposed by Bair. The isothermal calculation process was presented in: de la Guerra (Tribol Int 82:133–141, 2015). A new parametric formula is hereby developed using the aforementioned Reynolds–Carreau equation and adding the thermal effects to the solving process. The accuracy of this formula is discussed by comparing the estimates with the experimental and numerical results available. This analytical formula provides a fast and easy calculation methodology with good accuracy within a reasonably wide range of operating conditions.