| A numerical solution to the elastohydrodynamic lubrication of rolling-sliding contacts including both the thermal and non-Newtonian effects has been obtained using the central finite difference technique. The computational scheme requires the simultaneous solution of the non-Newtonian Reynolds, the elasticity, the load, the viscosity, and the energy equations. The non-Newtonian behavior of the lubricant is approximated by the Ree-Eyring model.;The results include the lubricant pressure profile, film thickness, and 2-D temperature distribution along the rolling direction, and the traction force on the surface of the rollers at various high loads and slip ratios. Results show that the film thickness is almost parallel in the contact region with a constriction occurring after the maximum of the pressure spike. The minimum film thickness is directly proportional to the slip and the load. The temperature rise inside the contact zone is also directly proportional to the sliding speed and the load. The thermal effects tend to reduce the film thickness and pressure inside the contact zone by a small amount. The non-Newtonian effects decrease the minimum film thickness appreciably and increase the magnitude of the pressure spike. The representative shear stress in the Ree-Eyring non-Newtonian fluid model also limits the amount of heat generation, and therefore temperature rise, for cases of high slip. |
