Abstract:

ESDU 85027 provides a method of estimating the lubricant film thickness in concentrated contacts that occur, for example, in rolling bearings and gears. It applies to a wide range of material/lubricant combinations including metals, polymers or rubbers with mineral oils or water as lubricant. Tables give the properties required by the method for a range of solids and lubricants. Although the method strictly applies to nominally line contacts it can be applied to nominally point contacts, and that is illustrated by one of the practical worked examples included. Guidance is provided on the adequacy of the calculated film thickness and on the redesign of the contact if it is found unsatisfactory. A flowchart guides the user in applying the method. A program of the method is available as ESDUpac A9137, see ESDU 91037.