Abstract
The paper describes a two-dimensional computational model for simulating surface initiated crack growth in the lubricated contact area that leads to surface pitting of mechanical components. The model assumes size and orientation of the initial crack which is subjected to contact loading conditions, accounting for the elasto-hydrodynamic-lubrication effects and tangential loading due to sliding. The influence of a lubricating fluid, driven into the crack by hydraulic mechanism, is also considered. The minimum strain energy density criterion is used to analyze crack propagation with the aim of the finite element analysis. The model is applied to a real pitting problem of a gear. The results for pit sizes correlate well with those observed in experimental testing.
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