Squeeze film characteristics of a rigid lubricated axisymmetric indenter punch onto unbonded and bonded soft elastic layers.

This paper investigates the squeeze film behavior of a rigid indenter punch with parabolodial surface profile which interacts with a thin, soft, linearly elastic layer through a thin lubricant film. The layer has infinite radial extent and is either bonded or unbonded to a rigid foundation. Slow and fast squeeze film regimes of lubrication are defined and delineated based on the dry contact radius of a spherical indenter and the radial extent of the lubricant film. Favorable agreement with relevant experimental studies supports the formulation method and regime classification. • New insights on elastohydrodynamic squeeze films with soft materials. • Novel results for a lubricated indenter punch onto unbonded and bonded elastic layers. • Novel classification of slow and fast squeeze regimes of lubrication. • Good agreement of numerical results with available experimental evidence. • Results may be useful for footwear design and biological tissue lubrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]