Effect of Cavitation on Tribological Performances for Textured Surfaces

The influence of cavitation in a lubricant between textured surfaces on tribological performances of the surfaces was investigated based on an extended Reynolds equation and other associated equations. The tribological performances of the surfaces holding dimples with divergent-convergent shape were analyzed with the cavitation effect consideration at different dimple numbers. In doing so, the elastic deformation of the surface is evaluated using continuous convolution fast Fourier transform (CC-FFT). Some mechanisms are revealed about the cavitation effect on the friction coefficient, friction force, load-carrying capacity and cavitated area of the textured surfaces.