A lubrication deviation from the classical EHL theory by the lubricant viscoplasticity: part I - Film thickness dependence

This paper studies film thickness in isothermal pure rolling elastohydrodyn amic lubrication (EHL) considering lubricant viscoplasticity. The central f ilm thickness formula based on lubricant viscoplasticity regressed out by t his study shows a deviation of elastohydrodynamic lubrication from the conv entional theory under high rolling speeds and heavy loads. This deviation a ctually describes the elastohydrodynamic film thickness when the lubricant shear strength and the maximum endurable shear stress on the lubricant-surf ace interface in EHL inlet zones degrades due to high temperature.