Simulation of journal bearing friction in severe mixed lubrication – Validation and effect of surface smoothing due to running-in
This paper focuses on the friction behavior of jour-nal bearings operating from hydrodynamic to mixedlubrication regime where severe metal-metal contactoccurs. Therefore, friction tests with two differentstatic loads are carried out on the journal bear-ing test-rig from KS Gleitlager. The test resultsin form of Stribeck curves provide a solid base toproof the isothermal elastohydrodynamic simulationapproach. The simulation approach solves the av-eraged Reynolds equation introduced by Patir andCheng and considers metal-metal contact by usingthe Greenwood and Tripp contact model. All nec-essary surface parameters are derived from surfacescans. No less essential in this approach are theexperimentally identified lubricant properties underhigh pressure and high shear rate.The calculated friction torque matches the mea-surement results within the measurement uncertaintyfor a wide range of operation conditions. With thevalidated simulation approach the influence of surfacesmoothing due to metal-metal contact is discussed.Additionally, the limits of a constant boundary coef-ficient are identified and the effects of flow factors arepresented.