Experimental research and numerical analysis in thin film lubrication of point contact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish a rapid and effective numerical model of thin film lubrication with clear physical conception, in which viscosity variation along the direction of film thickness was used instead of average viscosity, and continuous Reynolds equation was used in the calculation of thin film lubrication. Design/methodology/approach – Based on rheology and thin film lubrication with point contact and considering features of shear thinning and like-solidification of lubricant oil in the thin film lubrication state, a modified formula with overall average equivalent viscosity was proposed by combining numerical calculation and experiment data. Findings – It is a fast and efficient method for film lubrication state simulation. Research limitations/implications – Thin film lubrication research on a nanoscale is very popular, and a variety of thin film lubrication models are proposed. Due to the complexity of thin film lubrication, it is still in the stage of revealing law and establishing calculation model. Originality/value – The key issue is how to obtain the viscosity correction formula derived from engineering practice, also considered the lubricating oil class solidification and shear-thinning properties on thin film lubrication, while based on the system experiment, the viscosity modified formula for the gap, speed changes are proposed to obtain the overall average equivalent viscosity which makes the thin film lubrication micro to macro, so that a clear physical meaning for thin-film lubrication numerical calculation model is established.