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Parametric elastohydrodynamic study of a linear contact applied to SiC lubricated with a low‐viscosity fluid
Author(s) -
Francisco A.,
Blouin A.,
Frěne J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
lubrication science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.632
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1557-6833
pISSN - 0954-0075
DOI - 10.1002/ls.3010160402
Subject(s) - lubricant , materials science , reynolds equation , viscosity , silicon carbide , tribology , bearing (navigation) , cylinder , parametric statistics , composite material , ceramic , mechanics , modulus , lubrication , mechanical engineering , reynolds number , engineering , computer science , turbulence , mathematics , statistics , physics , artificial intelligence
Ceramic materials are often used in tribological applications because of their good mechanical properties. Silicon carbide (SiC) has a low density, high Young's modulus, high corrosion resistance, and very low friction in water. It is a very good candidate for replacing waterproof oil‐lubricated bearings in water pumps and for applications when water is used as a lubricant. In such applications the SiC dissolves very slowly in water to form silicilic acid. After running in, journal and bearing surfaces look like mirrors with very low roughness and very small friction coefficient. This paper reports on a parametric study to model the cylinder—plane configuration, which is then utilised in the specific case of SiC in water. The study was carried out in order to reduce the number of parameters and to ensure good precision of the results. The numerical model is applied to an SiC contact with a very low‐viscosity lubricant (water) using elastohydrodynamic (EHD) conditions. Multigrid techniques for the Reynolds equation and multilevel, multi‐integration methods for the elasticity equations are used to solve the EHD problem. These results are given in non‐dimensional form using the Moes parameters M and L for several velocities and loads. Comparison is made between the two‐ and three‐dimensional cases in order to assess the effects for the cylinder ends.