On the compressive heating/cooling mechanism in thermal elastohydrodynamic lubricated contacts. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Habchi, W.; Vergne, P.
• Is Part Of: Tribology international. Volume 88(2015)
• Page Start: 143
• Page End: 152
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Elastohydrodynamic lubrication -- Compressive heating/cooling -- Thermal effects -- Finite elements; Tribology -- Periodicals; 621.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2015.03.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-679X

Abstract

Abstract: The importance of compressive heating/cooling occurring within lubricating films in thermal elastohydrodynamic lubricated contacts has not been given sufficient attention in the literature. This paper presents a numerical investigation of this mechanism and attempts to quantify its importance as compared to shear heating under pure-rolling and rolling–sliding conditions. It is found that even under pure-rolling, compressive heating/cooling remains in most cases less important than shear heating or at best, of the same order. Under rolling–sliding conditions, as soon as the slightest sliding occurs, heat generation is governed by shear heating. The dependence of compressive heating/cooling on operating conditions is also examined. Finally, the impact of this mechanism on the lubricating performance of these contacts is considered under various operating conditions. Highlights: Numerical investigation of compressive heating/cooling in EHL contacts. Quantitative comparison of compressive heating and shear heating in EHL contacts. Effect of compressive heating/cooling on lubrication performance of EHL contacts. Even under pure-rolling shear heating is at least as significant as compressive heating. Under any slight sliding, shear heating governs the thermal response of the contact.