Rheological and Thermal Effects in Lubricated E.H.D. Contacts

Traction in lubricated elliptical Hertzian contacts with colinear speeds is studied. A method is described to calculate the stresses, temperatures and shear strain rates distribution along and across the film. Visco elasto-plastic behavior of the lubricant, convection, and conduction effects and pressure distributions are taken into account in this method. Elastic energy release is discussed. Shear modulus and limiting shear stresses are determined from experiment by curve fitting. Correlation between theory and experiment is analyzed.