Traction control by textured surface in elastohydrodynamic lubrication conditions

Abstract

In this study, the effect of the textured surface on traction coefficient in elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) conditions was experimentally investigated. In order to clarify the effectiveness of textured surfaces on traction coefficient, we used 11 types of textured steel rollers which have different pitches, widths and depths of grooves and compared traction coefficients. The slide-to-roll ratio was changed during tests by controlling revolution speed with servomotors connected to each specimen and coefficient of traction was measured on each slide-to-roll ratio. Experimental results show that it is possible to increase traction coefficient by more than 20 percent in the case of textured surfaces compared with the traction coefficient in the case of the flat surface. The pitch of grooves was the most sensitive parameter to change the traction coefficient.