Similarity theory of lubricated Hertzian contacts

J. H. Snoeijer*, J. Eggers, C. H. Venner

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We consider a heavily loaded, lubricated contact between two elastic bodies at relative speed U, such that there is substantial elastic deformation. As a result of the interplay between hydrodynamics and non-local elasticity, a fluid film develops between the two solids, whose thickness scales as U3/5. The film profile h is selected by a universal similarity solution along the upstream inlet. Another similarity solution is valid at the outlet, which exhibits a local minimum in the film thickness. The two solutions are connected by a hyperbolic problem underneath the contact. Our asymptotic results for a soft sphere pressed against a hard wall are shown to agree with both experiment and numerical simulations.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101705
JournalPhysics of Fluids
Volume25
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Oct 2013

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Similarity theory of lubricated Hertzian contacts'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this