Ultra-thin lubricating films under transient conditions

The mechanism of fluid film lubrication in ultra-thin conjunctions under co unterformal concentrated circular point contacts is discussed in this paper . The significance of squeeze film action in increased load carrying capaci ty is highlighted. The numerical predictions made in acceleration-decelerat ion motion of a ball against a flat race is found to conform with the exper imental findings of other research workers for polar branched lubricants do wn to a film thickness in the region of 20 nm. This conformance with the ex perimental findings has enabled a fundamental understanding of the multi-ph ysics of film formation when conditions promoting the formation of ultra-th in films of the order of few nanometres have been employed, with the use of a non-polar lubricant. This paper provides the first ever solution of the combined effect of viscous, surface and molecular forces under transient co nditions.