Oil pockets and surface topography : Mechanisms of friction reduction

• Oil pockets reduce friction in two ways: by providing lift themselves by a cavitation mechanism, and also by acting as a reservoir of lubricant which will leak out around their boundaries to minimise direct metallic contact in the surrounding region. The relative importance of these mechanisms is estimated in particular tribological environments. The general cavitation conditions for oil pockets are defined and the cavitation models of Etsion and Kato are compared. Both these models require knowledge of the size and distribution of oil pockets, and an attempt is made to relate these to measurable surface topography parameters. Mechanisms for leakage of lubricant from oil pockets are also discussed. Advantages and disadvantages of the Wihiborg-Crafoord index are presented. The effect of oil pockets on the contact regime in gears is assessed, and in particular the likely effect of oil-pocket-induced cavitation on gear noise, and its relation to existing work on gear roughness, is discussed. Problems of oil pocket measurement on reaÌ surfaces are outlined and the advantages of 3D measurement are identified.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Bearbetnings-, yt- och fogningsteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Manufacturing, Surface and Joining Technology (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)