Grease film evolution in rolling elastohydrodynamic lubrication contacts

Xinming LI; Feng GUO; Gerhard POLL; Yang FEI; Ping YANG

doi:10.1007/s40544-020-0381-4

Friction 2021, 9(1): 179-190 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-020-0381-4

Research Article |

Open Access | Issue | Published: 26 August 2020

Grease film evolution in rolling elastohydrodynamic lubrication contacts

Show Author's Information Hide Author's Information Xinming LI^¹(

), Feng GUO^¹, Gerhard POLL^², Yang FEI^¹, Ping YANG^¹

1 School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266250, China

2 Institute of Machine Design and Tribology, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover 30167, Germany

Keywords:

grease lubrication, rolling contacts, starvation, replenishment, elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL)

Cite this article:

LI X, GUO F, POLL G, et al. Grease film evolution in rolling elastohydrodynamic lubrication contacts. Friction, 2021, 9(1): 179-190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-020-0381-4

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Abstract Full text About this article

Abstract

Although most rolling element bearings are grease lubricated, the underlying mechanisms of grease lubrication has not been fully explored. This study investigates grease film evolution with glass disc revolutions in rolling elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) contacts. The evolution patterns of the grease films were highly related to the speed ranges and grease structures. The transference of thickener lumps, film thickness decay induced by starvation, and residual layer were recognized. The formation of an equilibrium film determined by the balance of lubricant loss and replenishment was analyzed. The primary mechanisms that dominate grease film formation in different lubricated contacts were clarified.

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About this article

Grease film evolution in rolling elastohydrodynamic lubrication contacts

Show Author's information Hide Author's Information Xinming LI^¹(

), Feng GUO^¹, Gerhard POLL^², Yang FEI^¹, Ping YANG^¹

1 School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266250, China

2 Institute of Machine Design and Tribology, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover 30167, Germany

Abstract

Keywords: grease lubrication, rolling contacts, starvation, replenishment, elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL)

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Acknowledgements

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Publication history

Received: 18 December 2019

Revised: 13 February 2020

Accepted: 07 March 2020

Published: 26 August 2020

Issue date: February 2021

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their thanks to the financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51875299 and 51775286) and the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (No. ZR2019MEE044)

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