This paper presents a numerical study of the effects of different shapes of deterministic microasperities in sliding surface lubrication when hydrodynamic films are found. Positive (protruding) and negative (recessed) asperities of constant height (depth) are considered with circular, square, diamond, hexagonal and triangular cross-sections. Of particular interest is the impact of asperity/cavity cross-sectional geometry on friction and leakage, which has importance in sealing applications. The results indicate that the friction coefficient is insensitive to asperity/cavity shape, but quite sensitive to the size of the cross-section. By contrast, leakage rates are found to be quite sensitive to both cross-sectional shape and size, with triangular asperities giving the smallest leakage rate and square asperities giving a largest leakage rate. The minimum coefficient of friction for all shapes is found to occur at an asperity area fraction of 0.2 for positive asperities and 0.7 for negative asperities. Finally, the results indicate the existence of a critical asperity area fraction where the performance curves for positive and negative asperities cross over. These cross-over points are identified for friction coefficient and leakage rate.
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e-mail: ravi@engr.uky.edu
e-mail: stephens@engr.uky.edu
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July 2004
Technical Papers
Effect of Deterministic Asperity Geometry on Hydrodynamic Lubrication
Ravinder B. Siripuram, Research Assistant,
e-mail: ravi@engr.uky.edu
Ravinder B. Siripuram, Research Assistant
Bearings and Seals Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 151 Ralph G. Anderson Building, Lexington, KY 40506-0503
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Lyndon S. Stephens, Associate Professor (contact author)
e-mail: stephens@engr.uky.edu
Lyndon S. Stephens, Associate Professor (contact author)
Bearings and Seals Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 151 Ralph G. Anderson Building, Lexington, KY 40506-0503
Search for other works by this author on:
Ravinder B. Siripuram, Research Assistant
Bearings and Seals Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 151 Ralph G. Anderson Building, Lexington, KY 40506-0503
e-mail: ravi@engr.uky.edu
Lyndon S. Stephens, Associate Professor (contact author)
Bearings and Seals Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 151 Ralph G. Anderson Building, Lexington, KY 40506-0503
e-mail: stephens@engr.uky.edu
Contributed by the Tribology Division for publication in the ASME JOURNAL OF TRIBOLOGY. Manuscript received by the Tribology Division March 12, 2003 revised manuscript received July 22, 2003. Associate Editor: M. Fillon.
J. Tribol. Jul 2004, 126(3): 527-534 (8 pages)
Published Online: June 28, 2004
Article history
Received:
March 12, 2003
Revised:
July 22, 2003
Online:
June 28, 2004
Citation
Siripuram, R. B., and Stephens, L. S. (June 28, 2004). "Effect of Deterministic Asperity Geometry on Hydrodynamic Lubrication ." ASME. J. Tribol. July 2004; 126(3): 527–534. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1715104
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