Effect of surface roughness on pure squeeze EHL motion of circular contacts

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the pure squeeze elastohydrodynamic lubrication motion of circular contacts with surface roughness under constant load conditions. The proposed model can reasonably calculate the effects of surface roughness on the transient pressure profiles, film shapes, and normal squeeze velocities during the pure squeeze process.Design methodology approach - Based on Christensen's stochastic theory, the transient modified Reynolds equation is derived in polar coordinates to consider the effects of surface roughness. The finite difference method and the Gauss-Seidel iteration method are used to solve the transient modified Reynolds equation, the elasticity deformation equation, load balance equation, and lubricant rheology equations simultaneously.Findings - The simulation results reveal that the circular type roughness possesses storage oil capacity. Comparatively, the radial type roughness possesses leak oil capacity. Therefore, the film thickness is found with circular type roughness, followed by smooth, and then radial type roughness. In additional, the central dimensionless pressure is found with radial type roughness, followed by smooth, and then circular type roughness.Originality value - A numerical method for general applications with surface roughness was developed to investigate the pure squeeze action in an isothermal EHL spherical conjunction under constant load conditions, but without asperities contact.