Modelling of wear under partial elastohydrodynamic lubrication conditions

Abstract

Wear under partial elastohydrodynamic lubrication (PEHL) conditions was studied on an Amsler disc machine utilizing hardened EN 31 and unhardened mild steel disc pairs. This work is an extension of previous work reported on the wear mechanisms under PEHL conditions. In the present paper further evidence of fatigue wear is presented. The wear was successfully modeled on the basis of the fatigue wear model of Jain and Bahadur modified for PEHL conditions. Jain and Bahadur considered that the normal stress responsible for wear was the stress acting at the surface. In the present model, the normal stress responsible for fatigue was considered to be the overall asperity stress acting in the contact area which is defined as the ratio of the total asperity load to the hertzian contact area.