Numerical analysis of viscous elastohydrodynamic point contact under stationary conditions

A model is proposed for study of the effect of nonelastic qualities of contacting bodies separated by a fine lubricant film on the contact characteristics. The problem is studied of the movement of the fine lubricant film between the rigid spherical surface and the mobile viscoelastic-layer surface rigidly adhering to the base. A unidimensional Kelvin model of the viscoelastic medium serves as the rheological model of the viscoelastic layer. The calculation results show that the pressure is distributed in the viscous elastohydrodynamic point contact film very much differently from the pressure distribution in the UHD contact, particularly at slow sliding velocities. The friction coefficient is a nonmonotonous function of the sliding velocity. The friction coefficient drops at slow velocities to a minimum as the velocity accelerates, and then it grows.