Viscohydrodynamic lubrication in conformal contacts: A numerical approach

Abstract

The steady-state operation of a polymer journal bearing is investigated by means of an innovative numerical methodology, based on the definition of a viscoelastic Green’s function intrinsically accounting for the circular hallmark of the contact domain. Crucially, results show, in terms of pressure, film thickness, and friction, the occurrence of a peculiar viscoelastohydrodynamic (VEHL) regime. This has critical consequences in applications, where the bearing capacity of the system may be affected. Ultimately, by focusing on different contact configurations, we show that the VEHL regime in polymer journal bearings is governed by three independent parameters, namely the Hersey number and the dimensionless velocities of the two interacting bodies.