Description in English
The project is aimed at the experimental evaluation of theoretical solutions of minimum film thickness in rolling/sliding concentrated contacts. It requires a comparison of experimental values with data obtained from numerical solutions for large range of operating parameters (load, rolling or sliding speed, kinds of lubricant and rubbing surfaces). Chromatic interferometry combined with image analysis and the use of silica spacer layer will enable to study minimum film thickness behaviour even for verthin films under 50 nm. It will make possible to study minimum film thickness behaviour in the transient range between elastohydrodynamic and boundary lubrication regimes. The results will contain not only the comparison with current isothermal (pure rolling conditions) or thermal (pure sliding conditions) numerical solutions but also the development of a new minimum film thickness equation obtained from regression analysis of experimental data.