Numerical Study of Cavitation Effects on Fluid Lubricating Properties Using Convex Texture

Abstract

In this study, simulations were performed to reproduce a sliding surface with a convex texture in two dimensions. The effects of cavitation on sliding surfaces were investigated by simulating various texture geometries. The texture geometry was based on a rectangular shape and different size chamfers were added in the downstream side. A moving wall accelerating at 1 m/s2 on the top surface and a fixed wall with a convex texture on the bottom surface were addopted for boundary conditions. The upstream and downstream boundary conditions were fixed at a gauge pressure of 0 Pa. The gauge vapor pressure of the lubricant was set to -1325 Pa, below which cavitation would occur. The Schnerr and Sauer model was used to reproduce cavitation. To compare the effects of cavitation, calculations were also performed for single-phase flow without the occurrence of cavitation. As a result, it was clarified that the texture shape affects the occurrence of cavitation, and it affects the sliding performance.