EFFECTS OF DEBRIS PARTICLES IN SLIDING ROLLING ELASTOHYDRODYNAMIC CONTACTS/

A theoretical simulation of the behaviour of debris particles in elast ohydrodynamic (EHD) contacts is an effective means for obtaining infor mation regarding the life and performance of lubricated machine elemen ts compared with costly experimentation. The present work indicates th at debris particles are often responsible for two failure modes: (a) s cuffing caused by particle agglomeration in the inlet zone of an EHD c ontact and (b) local melting due to high heat produced by the friction of debris in sliding contacts. The present predictions are in agreeme nt with experimental evidence in two ways: firstly, in that EHD contac ts may fail because of scuffing if the lubricant becomes contaminated, where the failure due to inlet blockage by debris and eventually flui d starvation, and, secondly, in that sliding asperity contacts encount er high flash temperatures which may cause local melting and thus plas tic deformations.