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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L62948/01
Title: LUBRICANT FILM THICKNESS IN NON-STEADY STATE CONTACTS
Principal Investigator: Spikes, Professor HA
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Organisation: Imperial College London
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 10 November 1997 Ends: 09 November 2000 Value (£): 177,183
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Eng. Dynamics & Tribology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Many lubricated engineering components operate in non-steady state, where the external conditions such as speed and load vary with time. Very little is known about the behaviour of the lubricant and the film thickness formed in such systems. This study will develop an experimental technique for obtaining film thickness values and profiles from concentrated contacts under transient conditions very rapidly. The technique will be used to investigate and quantify film collapse rate on sudden halting, and film formation in stop/start, acceleration/deceleration and reciprocating motion. Of particular interest is the film thickness formed at and just after reversal of motion, where films are believed to fall to very low values. The study will attempt to relate transient behaviour to lubricant composition and to produce useful design rules for the film thickness in on-steady state systems.
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Organisation Website: http://www.imperial.ac.uk