ISSN 10683666, Journal of Friction and Wear, 2010, Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 1–10. © Allerton Press, Inc.

, 2010.
Original Russian Text © I.G. Goryacheva, P.P. Usov, 2010, published in Trenie i Iznos, 2010, Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 13–23.

Numerical Analysis of Viscous Elastohydrodynamic Point Contact

under Stationary Conditions
I. G. Goryachevaa and P. P. Usovb, *
a
Ishlinskii Institute of Problems of Mechanics, Russian Academy of Sciences,
pr. Vernadskogo 101, k. 1, Moscow, 119526 Russia
bMoscow State Institute of Electronic Engineering, proezd 4806 5, Zelenograd, Moscow, 124498 Russia

*email: av239600@akado.ru
Received July 8, 2009

Abstract—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 viscoelasticlayer 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 elastohydrody
namic point contact film very much differently from the pressure distribution in the UHD contact, particu
larly 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.

Key words: viscoelastic layer, Kelvin model, point contact, lubricant film, friction coefficient.
DOI: 10.3103/S1068366610010010

INTRODUCTION The present paper discusses the problem of motion

The theoretical study of the processes evolving in
the fine lubricating film that separates deformable sur
faces shows that the contacting bodies are usually
modeled with an elastic medium. However, this
assumption is not always true. First, the mechanical
properties of the surface layers in contacting bodies
differ from the properties of the base material and
depend on the velocity of relative displacements of
interacting bodies. Second, recently a tendency has
appeared to use various composite materials in friction
units. These materials have surface layers with rheo
logical properties. Therefore, the problem of investi
gating the effect of the nonelastic properties of surface
layers of contacting bodies on the characteristics of the
lubricated contact is topical from the practical view
point.
To date, few publications have dealt with this prob
lem. In particular, the publications [1–3] formulate
the planar problem in order to investigate the effect of
the viscoelastic properties applied to elastic cylindrical
bodies on the characteristics of the lubricated contact.
It is demonstrated that the viscous properties of the
coating influence considerably the contact character
istics. The results are substantially different from the
case of contact between homogeneous elastic bodies at
slow velocities of relative motion. As the velocity of
motion accelerates, the effect of the viscous properties
weakens and become insignificant.
of the thin lubricating film between the rigid spherical
surface and the surface of the viscoelastic layer adher
ing to the rigid base. The effect of the mechanical
characteristics of the viscoelastic layer on the pressure
distribution in the lubricating film and its thickness
and friction coefficient is studied. It is shown that the
obtained results for that viscoelastic layer differ from
the results of the UHD theory of lubrication of elastic
bodies.
FORMULATION OF PROBLEM
Let us consider the problem of motion of a fine
layer of a liquid viscous lubricating material between
the surface of a rigid sphere with radius R and the sur
face of a viscoelastic layer with thickness H (Fig. 1)
adhering to a rigid base and moving with constant
velocity V. Let us position the beginning of the rectan
gular system of coordinates OXY on the undeformed
surface of the viscoelastic layer at the point through
which the perpendicular passes if it is traced from the
sphere center to the viscoelastic layer surface. Let us
direct the axis X in the same direction as the vector of
velocity of the layer’s motion; meanwhile, let us posi
tion the axis Y on the layer’s surface.

1
2 GORYACHEVA, USOV

R rigid sphere
Y

lubrication
X
0
H V
viscoelastic layer

rigid base

Fig. 1. Contact diagram.

To describe the viscous fluid flow between the sur Let us assume the boundary conditions for equa
faces, let us use the Reynolds equation tion (1) as follows:
p̃ ( X,Y ) X,Y ∈ Γ = 0. (5)
∂ ⎛ h˜ ∂p̃ ⎞ ∂ ⎛ h˜ ∂p̃ ⎞ V ∂h̃
3 3
   +    –   = 0, (1) Here, Γ is the boundary region that the lubricating
∂X ⎝ 12μ ∂X⎠ ∂Y ⎝ 12μ ∂Y⎠ 2 ∂X
film occupies. This boundary consists of two parts: the
where p̃ is the pressure in the lubricating film; μ is the inlet and the outlet boundaries. The outlet boundary of
lubricating material viscosity; and h˜ is the lubricating the lubricating film is known. The condition of abun
film thickness. dant lubrication with the assumption made of the small
dimensions of the highpressure region compared with
Let us assume that the dimensions of the high the sphere radius is usually modeled by assuming the
pressure area in the lubricating film are small com inlet boundary as follows: (X = –∞, –∞ < Y < +∞).
pared to the sphere radius R; let us write the clearance During the numerical modeling, the outlet bound
between the surfaces in the following form:
ary is determined as (X = A˜ , – B ˜ ), where A˜ < 0
˜ ≤Y≤ B
2 2
X +Y and the values A˜ , B˜ are assumed sufficiently large so
h˜ = – Δ +  + W, (2)
R that their further increase would not influence the cal
where Δ is the displacement of the sphere center in the culation results significantly.
direction perpendicular to the viscoelasticlayer sur Assume that the outlet boundary consists of three
face relative to its position when the sphere contacts lines: two rectilinear segments ( A˜ ≤ X ≤ C ( – B
˜ ), Y =
the layer when there is no deformation; W is the dis ˜ ), A˜ ≤ X ≤ C ( B
˜ ), Y = B
˜ ) and the curve X = C(Y)
placement of the viscoelasticlayer surface. The values –B
Δ and W are considered positive if they are directed passing through the points (C ( – B ˜ ), – B
˜ ), ( C ( B
˜ ), B
˜ ).
deep into the viscoelastic layer. Here, C(Y) is the unknown function that is determined
Let us assume the equation determining the dis so that the following condition is fulfilled:
placement of the viscoelastic layer as follows: ∂p̃
 = 0, (6)
∂n ( C ( Y ), Y )
( 1 + a )p̃ + λ  =  ⎛ W + λ ⎞ ,
dp̃ E dW
(3)
dt H⎝ dt ⎠
where n is the vector normal to the curve X = C(Y).
where λ = ts(1 + a); ts is the time of relaxation of the Taking into account (5), condition (6) can be replaced
viscoelastic layer material; E is the instant modulus of with the following condition:
elasticity of the viscoelastic film layer material. ∂p̃
 = 0. (7)
d d
Taking into account that  = V ; let us rewrite ∂X ( C ( Y ), Y )
dt dX The pressure built up in the lubricating film bal
equation (3) as follows: ances the load applied to the sphere; i.e.,
 = E ⎛ W + λV dW
⎞ . ∫ ∫ p̃ ( X, Y ) dX dY = P,
dp̃
( 1 + a )p̃ + λV  (4) (8)
dX H⎝ dX ⎠ D

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 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF VISCOUS ELASTOHYDRODYNAMIC POINT CONTACT 3

where D is the region that the lubricating film occu ˜ ˜ 2

B ; ρ = 0 ; Sr = μR
h
pies; P is the load applied to the sphere. where A = A ; B = HP
; F = 3 ;
R R R Pλ ER
Assuming that the pressure p̃ (X, Y) in equation (4)
is known, the solution of this equation relative to W μVR
S =  are the Summerfield numbers. The parame
yields P
X ter Sr can be represented as follows: close to the Sum
H⎛ X–ξ ⎞
W =  ⎜ p̃ +  exp ⎛ – ⎞ p̃ ( ξ, Y ) dξ⎟ .
a
E⎝ λV ⎝ ∫ λV ⎠ ⎠
(9) merfield number S if the velocity Vr = R/λ is entered.
μV r R
A˜ Then Sr =  .
Equations (1), (2), (9) and conditions (5), (7), (8) P
determine the parameter Δ, the position of the outlet Assuming that y = 0, x = c(0) in (11) and taking
boundary C(Y) and the functions h˜ (X,Y), p̃ (X,Y) into account that h˜ = h 0 in this point, we obtain the
within the region D providing that the parameters R, relationship
H, E, a, λ, V, μ, P are specified. 2
After the functions h˜ (X,Y), p̃ (X,Y) within the – Δ + (
c(0))

region D are found, the projection of the normal pres ρ
sure force acting from the lubricating film towards the c(0) (13)
exp ⎛ – r ( x – ξ )⎞ p ( ξ, 0 ) dξ = 1.
1 S S
sphere on the axis X can be determined as follows:
X
+ F p + a r
ρ S ∫ ⎝ S ⎠
R ∫∫
F x = –  p̃ ( X, Y ) dX dY,
D
A
The equation (7) in the dimensionless variables
as well as the component along the axis X of the tan acquires the form
gent stresses acting from the lubricating film towards ∂p
 = 0. (14)
the sphere, ∂x ( c ( y ), y )
h˜ ∂p̃
T x = – ⎛ –   + μ ⎞ dX dY.
V
∫∫
Equations (10), (11), together with relations (12)–
⎝ 2 ∂X h˜ ⎠ (14) and the condition that the function p(x, y) within the
D
boundary region of determination of the equation (10) is
These forces determine the components of the fric equal to zero, allow us to determine the parameters
tion coefficient
ρ, Δ and the function c(y), h(x, y), p(x, y) providing
F T the parameters A, B, a, Sr, S, F are specified. After
f r = x ; f t = x
P P determination of these functions, the components of
and the friction coefficient f = fr + ft itself. the friction coefficient can be calculated from the
Let us introduce the dimensionless variables formulas
B c(y)
h˜ ; p p̃R
2
X Y ⎛ ⎞
h = 
h0
=  ; x =  ; y =  ,
P R R
fr = – ⎜
⎝ ∫ ∫ xp ( x, y ) dx⎟⎠ dy;
–B A
where h0 is the lubricating film thickness in the outgo (15)
B c(y)
ing boundary point of the layer in the cross section Y = ⎛ S ⎞ ⎞ dy.
∂p + 
⎛ – h 
0, i.e., h0 = h˜ (C(0), 0). Equations (1), (2), (8), (9)
ft = ρ ⎜
⎝ ∫ ∫ ⎝ 2 ∂x ρ 2 h⎠ ⎟⎠
dx
–B A
acquire the following form in the dimensionless vari
ables:
∂ 3 ∂p ∂ 3 ∂p S ∂h METHODS OF PROBLEM SOLUTION
 ⎛ h ⎞ +  ⎛ h ⎞ – 6 2  = 0,
∂x ⎝ ∂x⎠ ∂y ⎝ ∂y⎠ ρ ∂x (10) Let us introduce the irregular mesh {x = xi, i = 1, 2,
…, N}; x1 = A; xN = c(0) within the fragment ⎣A, c(0)⎦
A < x < c ( y ), – B < y < B;
of the axis X. The irregular mesh {y = yk, k = 1, 2, …,
h = – Δ + 1 ( x + y ) M}; y1 = –B; yM = B is introduced within the fragment
2 2
ρ ⎣–B, B⎦ of the axis Y. The result is a bidimensional mesh
x (11) with the nodes (xi, yk). The outlet boundary x = C(y) is
+ 1F p + a r exp ⎛ – r ( x – ξ )⎞ p ( ξ, y ) dξ ;
S S approximated with a broken line passing through the
ρ S ∫ ⎝ S ⎠ bidimensional mesh nodes. Assume that the outlet
A boundary point of the lubricating film in the cross sec
B c(y) tion y = yj is located in the node ( x Nj , y j ).
∫ dy ∫ p ( x, y ) dx = 1, (12) Equation (10) is replaced with the finite difference
–B A equation in each node (xi, yj) of the bidimensional

JOURNAL OF FRICTION AND WEAR Vol. 31 No. 1 2010

4 GORYACHEVA, USOV

mesh located within the region of determination of the dependence on the viscoelastic layer compliance,
this equation: while the dependence on the value S at the constant
+ – values Sr, F reflects the dependence on the sliding
3 p i + 1, j – p i, j 3 p i, j – p i – 1, j Δx i + Δx i velocity.
h 1  – h 1   + 

i + , j + i – , j – + –
2 Δx i 2 Δx j Δy j + Δy j
Let us consider the effect of each of the above
p i, j + 1 – p i, j p i, j – p i, j – 1⎞ parameters individually.
× ⎛ h 1 
3 3
 – h 1   (16)
⎝ i, j + 2 Δy + i, j – 
2 Δy
– ⎠
j j

S ⎛ h ⎞ The Effect of the Parameter F

– 6  1 –h 1 = 0, 1 < i < N j , 1 < j < M,
ρ ⎝ i + 2, j i, j –  ⎠
2
2
Figure 2 shows the function of pressure distribution
where pi, j = p(xi, yj); pi –1, j = p(xi – 1, yj); pi +1, j = p(xi + 1, yj); in the cross section y = 0 at the values Sr = 7.6 × 10–7;
1 S = 4.6 × 10–5 and different values of the parameter F.
pi, j –1 = p(xi, yj –1); pi, j +1 = p(xi, yj +1); h 1 =  (hi, j + It follows from the above data that the highpressure
i + , j 2
2
region expands when F grows. Meanwhile the maxi
1 1 mum pressure drops significantly. The highpressure
hi + 1, j); h 1 =  (hi, j + hi – 1, j); h 1 =  (hi, j + hi, j + 1);
i – , j 2 i, j +  2 region grows predominantly towards the inlet bound
2 2
1 ary of the lubricating film. Meanwhile, the middle
h 1 =  (hi, j + hi, j – 1); hi – 1, j = h(xi – 1, yj); hi + 1, j = point of the highpressure region shifts leftwards,
i – , j 2
2 while the maximum pressure point shifts leftwards
h(xi + 1,yj); hi, j + 1 = h(xi, yj + 1); hi, j – 1 = h(xi, yj – 1); much more than the middle point. The higher values
+ –
Δx i = xi + 1 – xi; Δx i = xi – xi – 1; Δy j = yj + 1 – yj;
+ of the parameter F of the maximum pressure point
–
result in its considerable displacement leftwards of the
Δy j = yj – yj – 1. middle point of the highpressure region.
The assumption in (11) that the coordinate x is This behavior of the pressuredistribution function
equal to xi, while the coordinate y is equal to yj, and leads to a rapid growth of the deformation component
substitution of the integral in the equation (11) of the of the friction coefficient fr as F increases. Figure 3
finite sum, yield the following: graphs how fr, ft and f depend on the parameter F.
N Note that the behavior of the pressuredistribution
⎧
h i, j = – Δ + 1 ( x i + y j ) + 1F ⎨ p i, j + a ∑
2 2
(p k – 1, j + p k, j ) function and the coefficient fr in response to F differs
ρ ρ ⎩ 2 principally from their behavior in the UHD contact.
k = i+1
(17) As the compliance of the elastic layer increases, the
⎫ pressure distribution in the lubricating film on the
× exp ⎛ – r ( x i – x k – 1 )⎞ – exp ⎛ – r ( x i – x k )⎞ ⎬.
S S
⎝ S ⎠ ⎝ S ⎠ UHD contact becomes more symmetric and the coef
⎭ ficient fr declines.
The substitution of the derivative of the finite dif Figure 3 shows that the coefficient ft grows as well
ference in (14) yields the following: in response to increasing F. This is explained in the
p Nj – 1, j = p Nj, j , j = 2, …, M – 1. (18) following manner. Expression (15) for ft consists of two
After the substitution of the integrals with finite summands. It follows from the calculation results that
sums the equations (16)–(18), together with the condi the assumed values of the parameters make the first
tions (12), (13), represent a combined system of equa parameter of the first summand, as a rule, one order of
magnitude less than the value of the second summand.
tions relating to the unknown Nj (j = 2, …, M – 1), Δ, The latter is equal to the integral of the function S/ρh.
ρ, hi, j, pi, j (i = 2, …, Nj – 1, j = 2, …, M – 1). This sys Figure 4 shows the dependences of ρh on x in the cross
tem of equations is solved by iterating using the New section y = 0. It is apparent that increasing F boosts
ton–Rafson method. the ρh value, as well. This should reduce the integral.
However, when F grows, the highpressure region
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS expands considerably both along the coordinate x and
along the coordinate y. Growth of the size of the
All the calculations were made at the parameter a = region of integration boosts the value of the integral.
1000 and different values of the parameter S, Sr, F. As a result, the second summand and the coefficient ft
These parameters were changed observing the follow grow together as F increases.
ing conditions: P = 4.3 N; μ = 0.05 Pa ⋅ s; R = 0.01 m.
Thus, the dependence on the value Sr at constant val Note that the expansion of the highpressure
ues S, F reflects the dependence on the relaxation time region in the direction of the axis y leads to the shrink
of the material of the viscoelastic medium. The depen ing of the area limited by the axis x and the curve p(x)
dence on the values F at constant values Sr, S reflects in response to increasing F, as Fig. 3 shows.

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 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF VISCOUS ELASTOHYDRODYNAMIC POINT CONTACT 5

p
1
250

200
2

150
3

100 4
5
6
50

0
–0.14 –0.12 –0.10 –0.08 –0.06 –0.04 –0.02 0 0.02 0.04 x

Fig. 2. Pressure distribution in cross section y = 0 at Sr = 7.6 × 10–7; S = 4.6 × 10–5 and different values of parameter F:
1—F = 4.38 × 10–6; 2—8.75 × 10–6; 3—1.72 × 10–5; 4—2.61 × 10–5; 5—3.48 × 10–5; 6—F = 4.36 × 10–5.

f, ft, fr
0.045

0.040
3
0.035
2
0.030

0.025

0.020

0.015

0.010 1

0.005
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 F ×10–5

Fig. 3. Dependence of friction coefficient and its components on parameter F at Sr = 7.6 × 10–7; S = 4.6 × 10–5: 1—ft; 2—fr;
3—f.

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6 GORYACHEVA, USOV

ρh, ×10–4

6
5
4
1 3
2
1

0
–0.14 –0.12 –0.10 –0.08 –0.06 –0.04 –0.02 0 0.02 0.04 x

Fig. 4. Dependence of value ρh on coordinate x in cross section y = 0 at Sr = 7.6 × 10–7; S = 4.6 × 10–5 and different values of
parameter F: 1—4.38 × 10–6; 2—8.75 × 10–6; 3—1.72 × 10–5; 4—2.61 × 10–5; 5—3.48 × 10–5; 6—4.36 × 10–5.

6
200
4
2 3
150

1 5
100

50

0
–0.14 –0.12 –0.10 –0.08 –0.06 –0.04 –0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 x

Fig. 5. Pressure distribution in cross section y = 0 at Sr = 7.6 × 10–7; F = 8.75 × 10–6 and different values of parameter S:
1—4.6 × 10–5; 2—1.15 × 10–4; 3—2.2 × 10–4; 4—3.26 × 10–4; 5—4.25 × 10–4; 6—5.67 × 10–4.

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 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF VISCOUS ELASTOHYDRODYNAMIC POINT CONTACT
f, ft, fr
0.025
0.020
0.015
0.010
0.005
0 2
Fig. 6. Dependence of friction coefficient and its components on parameter S at Sr = 7.6 × 10–7; F = 8.75 × 10–6: 1—ft; 2—fr;
3—f.
The Effect of the Parameter S
As the parameter S grows, the pressure distribution
becomes more symmetric with regard to the plane x = 0
and approaches the pressure distribution in the UHD
contact. This follows from Fig. 5, showing the pres
suredistribution function in the middle cross section at
Sr = 7.6 × 10–7; F = 8.75 × 10–6 and different values of
the parameter S. The maximum pressure in response
to increased S shifts in the direction of the sliding
velocity V.
Since the pressure distribution becomes more sym
metric relatively the plane x = 0, the component of the
friction coefficient fr grows initially as S increases.
Afterwards, when the pressure distribution approaches
the pressure distribution in the UHD contact, the
coefficient fr ceases to decline in response to increased
S and begins to rise. This rise occurs in the UHD con
tact because the pressure increases due to the hydrody
namic effects in the inlet region of the lubricating film.
Figure 6 shows how the friction coefficient and its
components depend on the parameter S. The coefficient
ft grows in response to increased S. This growth is due to
the increase of the relation S/ρh in expression (15) for
the ft. As the numerator S increases, this relation ρh
grows considerably, as well. This follows from Fig. 7,
showing the dependences of ρh on the coordinate x in
the cross section y = 0. However, ρh grows in the high
pressure region much less than S, so the coefficient ft
increases in response to increased S.
JOURNAL OF FRICTION AND WEAR Vol. 31
7
3
2
4 S, ×10–4
As a result, the friction coefficient f equal to the
sum of ft and fr becomes a nonmonotonous function of
the parameter S. When the values S are small, the
coefficient f declines in response to increased S,
reaching a minimum, and then increases afterwards.
The results in Fig. 7 show that the graphs h(x) slope
more to the axis x as S grows; the dependences h(x)
then resemble more the similar dependences in the
UHD contact.
The Effect of the Parameter Sr
As Sr declines (when the relaxation time ts is
increased), the pressuredistribution function
becomes more symmetric in respect of the axes x; i.e.,
it approaches to the function of the pressure distribu
tion in the UHD contact. This follows from Fig. 8,
showing the pressuredistribution functions in the
middle cross section at F = 8.75 × 10–6; S = 4.6 × 10–5
and different values of the parameter Sr.
These changes in the function p(x, y) result in con
siderable growth of the coefficient fr in response to
growth of Sr. This is confirmed by the dependences of
the friction coefficient and its components in Fig. 9 on
the parameter Sr at F = 8.75 × 10–6; S = 4.6 × 10–5.
The coefficient ft grows weakly in response to
increased Sr. This growth is due to the changes in the
dependences ρh on the coordinate x and y as Sr
changes. Figure 10 shows these dependences in the
cross section y = 0 at F = 8.75 × 10–6; S = 4.6 × 10–5
No. 1 2010
8 GORYACHEVA, USOV

ρh, ×10–4

3
6

5
4
2
3

2
1
1

0
–0.10 –0.08 –0.06 –0.04 –0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 x

Fig. 7. Graphs of function ρh(x, y) in cross section y =0 at Sr = 7.6 × 10–7; F = 8.75 × 10–6 and different values of parameter S:
1—S = 4.6 × 10–5; 2—1.15 × 10–4; 3—2.2 × 10–4; 4—3.26 × 10–4; 5—4.25 × 10–4; 6—5.67 × 10–4.

5
200

4
2
150

3
1
100

50

0
–0.14 –0.12 –0.10 –0.08 –0.06 –0.04 –0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.04 x

Fig. 8. Pressure distribution in cross section y = 0 at F = 8.75 × 10–6; S = 4.6 × 10–5 and different values of parameter Sr: 1—Sr =
1.16 × 10–6; 2—4 × 10–7; 3—2.43 × 10–7; 4—1.67 × 10–7; 5—1.17 × 10–7.

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 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF VISCOUS ELASTOHYDRODYNAMIC POINT CONTACT 9

f, ft, fr

0.030

0.025
3

0.020
2
0.015

0.010
1
0.015

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 Sr, ×10–6

Fig. 9. Dependence of friction coefficient and its components on parameter Sr at F = 8.75 × 10–6; S = 4.6 × 10–5: 1—ft; 2—fr;
3—f.

ρh, ×10–4

1 2 34
5

0
–0.10 –0.08 –0.06 –0.04 –0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 x

Fig. 10. Graphs of function ρh(x, y) in cross section y = 0 at F = 8.75 × 10–6; S = 4.6 × 10–5 and different values of parameter Sr:
1—Sr = 1.16 × 10–6; 2—4 × 10–7; 3—2.43 × 10–7; 4—1.67 × 10–7; 5—1.17 × 10–7.

JOURNAL OF FRICTION AND WEAR Vol. 31 No. 1 2010

10 GORYACHEVA, USOV
and different values of the parameter Sr. It is evident
that the lubricating film thickness changes weakly in
response to changes in Sr. When Sr grows, the curves
h(x) become less inclined to the axis x. The function
ρh in the vicinity of the lubricating film grows weakly
in response to increased Sr, while it declines weakly in
the inlet region. As a result, the coefficient ft grows
weakly.
CONCLUSIONS
A model of the viscous elastohydrodynamic point
contact is proposed. It is demonstrated that the char
acteristics of the viscoelastic layer influence consider
ably the pressure distribution, the lubricating film
thickness, and the friction coefficient. When the vis
cosity grows, the highpressure region in the lubricat
ing film shifts towards its inlet boundary. Then the
maximum pressure point moves away from the high
pressure region center towards the inlet boundary.
When the sliding velocity accelerates or the time of
relaxation of the viscoelastic layer shortens, the pres
sure distribution becomes more symmetric approach
ing the pressure distribution in the UHD contact. Due
to the viscous properties of the layer, the friction coef
ficient is a nonmonotonous function of the Summer
field number or the velocity. When the values of the
velocity are small, the friction coefficient declines,
reaching a minimum; then it grows in response to the
acceleration.
The obtained results correlate well with the experi
mental data of Schtriebek. Therefore, when investi
gating the characteristics of lubricated contacts, the
nonelastic properties of the surface layers on the con
tacting bodies should be taken into account.
This work was supported by the Russian Foundation
for Basic Research, Grants 090801229, 090801236a.
JOURNAL OF FRICTION AND WEAR
DESIGNATIONS
h—the dimensionless lubricating film thickness;
a—the dimensionless characteristic of the mechani
cal properties of the viscoelastic layer; p—the dimen
sionless pressure in the lubricating film; w—the
dimensionless normal displacement of the surface of
the viscoelastic layer; F—the dimensionless parame
ter; x, y—the dimensionless coordinates; Sr—the
dimensionless parameter; Δ —the dimensionless dis
placement of the sphere center; ts—the time of relax
ation of the viscoelastic layer; μ—the lubricating
material viscosity; p̃ —the pressure in the lubricating
film; X, Y—the coordinates; f—the friction coeffi
cient; E—the instant modulus of elasticity of the vis
coelastic layer; P—the load; W—the displacement of
the surface of the viscoelastic layer; Δ—the displace
ment of the sphere center; R—the sphere radius;
V—the sliding velocity; fr, ft—the components of the
friction coefficient; h˜ —the lubricating film thick
ness; H—the viscoelasticlayer thickness; S—the Sum
merfield number.
REFERENCES
1. Kalker, J.J., Viscoelastic Multilayered Cylinders Rolling
with Dry Friction, J. Appl. Mech., 1991, vol. 58,
pp. 666–679.
2. Goryacheva, I.G., Sadeghi, F., and Xu, G., Viscoelastic
Effects in Lubricated Contacts, Wear, 1996, vol. 198.
pp. 307–312.
3. Goryacheva, I.G., Contact Mechanics in Tribology,
Dordrecht, Boston, London: Kluwer Acad. Publ.,
1988.
Vol. 31 No. 1 2010