On the modelling of mixed lubrication of conformal contacts

Abstract When it comes to the numerical evaluation of tribological contacts operated in the boundary and mixed lubrication regime, the estimation of the asperity contact based on statistical methods is widespread. We have studied the effects and expressiveness of major aspects of statistical contact modelling including the choice of contact model, surface evaluation method and magnification in the process of surface acquisition. To this, friction experiments including two material combinations were conducted and compared with numerical results retrieved from a newly developed numerical framework in a commercial simulation software. The results point out the relevance of the numerical framework and visualize the effect of inappropriate surface acquisition respectively the expressiveness of the investigated evaluation methods and contact models.