Paper VII(ii) Elastohydrodynamic lubrication of point contacts for various lubricants

Abstract

The simultaneous measurements of optical film thicknesses and traction forces are performed at room temperature, for various lubricants, to investigate the elastohydrodynamic lubrication of point contacts under fully flooded conditions, on a ball and a plane disc apparatus. Small relative sliding, lateral sliding and spin can be imposed near pure rolling conditions. The measured minimum and central film thicknesses are compared to the theoretical values given by the Hamrock and Dowson formulae. The traction forces measured simultaneously on the ball in the rolling direction and on the plane disc in the lateral direction are compared to the isothermal visco-elastic Maxwell model proposed by Johnson and Tevaarwerk. The limiting stress suggested by Bair and Winer is also considered.