An Experimental Study of Hydrodynamic Film Rupture in a Steadily-Loaded, Non-Conformal Contact

A study of ventilated gaseous cavitation in a steadily-loaded, non-conformal contact has been undertaken. The work is particularly appropriate to what can be called ‘lightly loaded’ situations such as those occurring in radial race seals and certain industrial coating processes. A wide-ranging experimental programme has been carried out and measurements of film rupture location and pressure distributions compared to computer predictions obtained using the cavitation boundary conditions of Coyne and Elrod. Photographic studies are also reported. The boundary conditions due to Coyne and Elrod have been confirmed as appropriate for the experimental conditions studied.