Rolling Contacts. Tribology in Practice Series

5R27. Rolling Contacts. Tribology in Practice Series. - TA Stolarski (Mech Eng Dept, Brunel Univ, UK) and S Tobe (Ashikaga Inst of Tech, Japan). Professional Eng Publ, Suffolk, UK. 2000. 445 pp. ISBN 1-86058-296-6. $188.00.

Reviewed by J Kalousek (Center for Surface Transportation Tech, Natl Res Council Canada, 3250 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1W5, Canada).

This is a reference book aimed at engineers who work in the fields of rolling contacts, roller bearings, gears, cams, wheel/rail contacts in railways, etc.

Following the introduction, the book summarizes the classical theories of the mechanics of elasticity, the thermal effects of surface roughness, rolling contacts separated by a film, and rolling fatigue. These theories provide analysis tools for different contact problems. The book discusses a number of cases which are commonly seen in engineering, such as: friction in rolling contact, roller bearings (fully lubricated rolling contact), wheel/rail contact (non-lubricated rolling contact), gears and cams (fully or partially lubricated rolling contact), non-metallic rolling contact, surface treatment for rolling contact, and rolling contact during metal forming.

An interesting feature of this book is that it combines all subjects related with rolling contact together into one book. On some topics, such as lubricated rolling contact (bearings, gears and cams), the book provides explanations that range from detailed to exhaustive. However, the information provided on topics such as slip stick in rolling-sliding contact and contact between wheel/rail comes short of covering the current state of the art.

The book contains a wealth of good references, the figures are of very good quality, and the subject indexes are detailed and to the point. But some statements can be found that are either unclear or wrong. For example, Fig. 3.9 on page 70 properly displays the concept of slip-stick. Equation 3.31 on page 71 tells us that $F=F1$ when $κΔν/ν=1.$ However, the value of $F/F1$ on the thick curve in Fig. 3.9(b) is not equal to 1 at $κΔν/ν=1.$ Also the $μR$ in Fig. 3.9(b) is not defined in the book. The last paragraph on page 71 mentions a dashed line in Fig. 3.9(b), but there is no dashed line in the figure.

In general, Rolling Contacts is of good value to large readership ranging from practical engineers to researchers interested in novel ideas. The book is strongly recommended to each professional in the field. It will also become a well sought after reference on the shelf of scientific libraries.