Effect of Surface Roughness on the Point Contact EHL

In this paper a full numerical solution for the partial elastohydrodynamic lubrication in elliptical contacts is presented, and the procedure of computation is briefly described. The average Reynolds equation developed by Patir and Cheng, the elasticity equation, and the pressure-viscosity relationship are solved simultaneously. The asperity contacts are also taken into account by using the model contributed by Greenwood and Tripp. The distribution of surface irregularities is assumed to be Gaussian. The effects of various roughness parameters on the film thickness are investigated. Special attention is given to the surface pattern parameter and hydrodynamic roughness parameter.