On the tribo-dynamics of lubricated point contacts: modeling and experiment

This study proposes a modeling methodology for the description of tribo-dynamic behavior generic point contacts, considering surface defect/failure type excitation. A twin-disk contact set-up is developed to experimentally determine acceleration induced by lab-controlled groove feature present on one mating surfaces. The periodic passage this artificial defect through lubricated zone leads force fluctuation, and consequently normal direction dynamic relative displacement velocity bodies. These responses impact lubrication film thickness flow, altering tribological performance that governs force. Implementing interaction loop between dynamics tribology, computational simulations are shown be able yield fairly accurate predictions in comparison measured signals.