The Parametric Study of the Crack Growth in the Lubricated Rolling-Sliding Contact Problems

Abstract

A two-dimensional numerical model is used to describe the crack path in the lubricated rolling-sliding contact problems. The model assumes that the crack is initiated in a pre-existing micro pit, which resulted from the crack growth on the surface of a gear tooth flank. The lubricated rolling-sliding contact problem is modelled using the Hertz theory of contact, the Coulomb's law of friction and hydraulic pressure mechanism with constant pressure which simulates the effect of lubricant trapped into the crack. Different load cases are used to simulate the moving of a contact load. The crack propagation path is evaluated by a maximum tangential stress criterion and modified maximum tangential stress criterion which considers the stress intensity factors KI and KII, the T-stress, the critical distance ahead the crack tip rc, and the stress on the crack surfaces. The computational results show that the consideration of the T-stress has a significant influence on the crack path in the lubricated rolling-sliding contact problems.