Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/L90996/01
Title:	THIN FILM ROUGH SURFACE ELASTOHYDRODYNAMICS
Principal Investigator:	Snidle, Professor RW
Other Investigators:	Hughes, Professor T Evans, Professor HP
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	Pre Nexus Migration
Department:	Sch of Engineering
Organisation:	Cardiff University
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 February 1998	Ends:	31 October 2001	Value (£):	141,910
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Eng. Dynamics & Tribology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Most gears operate in the lubrication regime described as microelastohydrodynamic lubrication (micro-EHL) because for economic manufacture, the tooth surfaces rarely have a finish better than 0.4 (micro metres) roughnes average (Ra) and nominal oil films are typically of that order and considerably less at high temperatures or low speeds. In theoretical solutions of both the dry contact and micro-EHL problems the presence of roughness causes severe rippling of the contact pressure with maximum values far in excess of the smooth-surface Hertzian distribution. A serious practical problem associated with these effects is that of micropitting which is rolling contact fatigue on the scale of surface roughness. The aim of this project is to gain an understanding of the fundamental causes of micropitting by modelling the contact and lubrication of gear tooth surfaces under severe conditions of high loads and thin films. For this purpose a new thin film micro-EHL solver will be developed which will be capable of dealing with very low (film thickness/roughness) ratios. The solver will include thermal, non-Newtonian, moving roughness and side-leakage effects. Experimental validation of the solver under rough surface conditions will be made in collaboration with Imperial College. The solver will be applied to real gear conditions.
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