NON-NEWTONIAN AND THERMAL EFFECTS ON FILM GENERATION AND TRACTION REDUCTION IN EHL LINE CONTACT CONJUNCTIONS

The thermal circular non-Newtonian model accompanied with three specia lized models was used to study the mechanisms of film generation and t raction reduction in EHL line contact conjunctions. Results revealed t hat the film generation capability is mainly controlled by the inlet z one pressure buildup and the inlet zone piezo-thickening. The diffusio n time effect enhances the thermal thinning that reduces this capabili ty. On the other hand, the piezoviscosity and the shear rate in the ce ntral contact zone are the main traction generation factors whereas sh ear skidding and thermal skidding are the traction reduction mechanism s. Results also showed that neglecting either viscous heating or the c ombination of shear thinning and shear stress reduction in formulating an EHL simulator is inaccurate for many cases.