Simplified traction prediction for highly loaded rolling/sliding EHL contacts

Abstract A simplified traction prediction approach has been developed for highly loaded EHL contacts accounting for non-Newtonian and thermal effects. For validation, a reference fluid squalane was used for traction measurements at high Hertzian contact pressures ( 1.25 to 2.66 GPa ) at three velocities of 5 , 10 and 15 m / s . Good agreement was seen for traction curves in a semi-log scale at a low speed of 5 m / s , whereas for higher speeds at 10 m / s and 15 m / s , the measured traction curves are lower than the predicted ones. This reduced friction in the experimental results is caused by the increase in mass temperature of the discs. Two possible mechanisms for this reduced friction due to solid body temperature effects are discussed.