Partial Hydrodynamic Lubrication With Large Fractional Contact Areas

An alternative average Reynolds equation for use under conditions of large fractional contact area is proposed. The flow factors for this form of the equation are calculated for a variety of longitudinal surfaces and the results are shown to be relatively insensitive to the initial height distribution. Pressure and shear flow factors for the Christensen height distribution and a variety of Peklenik surface pattern parameters are also derived from the work of Patir and Cheng, Lo and Tripp. These are represented by semi-empirical equations over the full range of contact conditions. The implications of the results, with respect to the lubrication of metal forming processes, is discussed.