Thermal and Thermoelastic Effects in Rolling/Sliding Contacts.

This report describes a theoretical and experimental study of thermal and thermomechanical effects on frictionally and electrically heated rolling/sliding surfaces. A 2-D thermal analysis is used to predict the temperature distribution through the thickness of the lubricant film in an elastohydrodynamic (EHD) contact. The relative magnitude of shear and compressive heating as well as the losses due to conduction and convection are compared for pure rolling and slip conditions. Originator-supplied key words include: Tribology, Elastohydrodynamic lubrication, Electrical brush, Wear, Thermal effects, Thermomechanical effects, Lubricant rheology, and High current density monolithic electrical brushes.