Abstract
A soft elastohydrodynamic lubrication (SEHL) model is presented that consists of a stationary surface-textured soft elastomer sleeve and a rigid, smooth rotating shaft. The Reynolds equation and the equation of linear elasticity are solved simultaneously for the pressure distribution and viscous shear stresses in the fluid film and for the elastic stresses and deformations in the elastomer. An extensive parametric analysis is performed to evaluate the optimum parameters of the surface texturing for minimum friction coefficient. The transition from full hydrodynamic to mixed lubrication is also analyzed. It is shown that the model is also valid for predicting friction coefficient of various types of circumferential elastomer seals.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors acknowledge the kind help from Prof. Richard F. Salant of Georgia Tech. and his former PhD student Dr. Fanghui Shi in providing relevant information for the lip seal analysis.
Review led by Luis San Andres