Measurements of periodically perturbed dewetting force fields and their consequences on the symmetry of the resulting patterns

We studied the origin of breaking the symmetry for moving circular contact lines of dewetting polymer films suspended on a periodic array of pillars. There, dewetting force fields driving polymer flow were perturbed by elastic micro-pillars arranged in a regular square pattern. Elastic restoring forces of deformed pillars locally balance driving capillary forces and broke the circular symmetry of expanding dewetting holes. The observed envelope of the dewetting holes reflected the symmetry of the underlying pattern, even at sizes much larger than the characteristic period of the pillar array, demonstrating that periodic perturbations in a driving force field can establish a well-defined pattern of lower symmetry. For the presented system, we succeeded in squaring the circle.

An incremental equivalent circular contact model for rough surfaces

The accurate calculation of real contact area between rough surfaces is a key issue in tribology. In this paper, based on the geometrical information of total contact area and the number of contact patches with respect to surface separation, a new method is proposed to determine the relation between real contact area and normal load. The contact of rough surfaces is treated as an accumulation of equivalent circular contacts with varying average contact radius. For a realistic range of separation, the proposed model predicts a linear relation between real contact area and load, and coincides well with direct finite element calculations. Moreover, this model is general and not confined to isotropic Gaussian surfaces.

Identities for droplets with circular footprint on tilted surfaces

Exact mathematical identities are presented between the relevant parameters of droplets displaying circular contact boundary based on flat tilted surfaces. Two of the identities are derived from the force balance, and one from the torque balance. The tilt surfaces cover the full range of inclinations for sessile or pendant drops, including the intermediate case of droplets on a wall (vertical surface). The identities are put under test both by the available solutions of a linear response approximation at small Bond numbers as well as the ones obtained from numerical solutions, making use of the Surface Evolver software. The subtleties to obtain certain angle-averages appearing in identities by the numerical solutions are discussed in detail. It is argued how the identities are useful in two respects. First is to replace some unknown values in the Young–Laplace equation by their expressions obtained from the identities. Second is to use the identities to estimate the error for approximate analytical or numerical solutions without any reference to an exact solution.

Effect of Surface Curvature on Contact Resistance Between Cylinders

Due to the microscopic roughness of contacting materials, an additional thermal resistance arises from the constriction and spreading of heat near contact spots. Predictive models for contact resistance typically consider abutting semi-infinite cylinders subjected to an adiabatic boundary condition along their outer radius. At the nominal plane of contact, an isothermal and circular contact spot is surrounded by an adiabatic annulus and the far-field boundary condition is one of constant heat flux. However, cylinders with flat bases do not mimic the geometry of contacts. To remedy this, we perturb the geometry of the problem such that, in cross section, the circular contact is surrounded by an adiabatic arc. When the curvature of this arc is small, we employ a series solution for the leading-order (flat base) problem. Then, Green's second identity is used to compute the increase in spreading resistance in a single cylinder, and thus the contact resistance for abutting ones, without fully resolving the temperature field. Complementary numerical results for contact resistance span the full range of contact fraction and protrusion angle of the arc. The results suggest as much as a 10–15% increase in contact resistance for realistic contact fraction and asperity slopes. When the protrusion angle is negative, the decrease in spreading resistance for a single cylinder is also provided.

Numerical study of surface dimple phenomenon by starvation in simple sliding contact

Purpose This study aims to use a thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) algorithm incorporating an Eyring flow model to solve a steady-state contact in simple sliding motion. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical model was used to investigate the effect of starvation on the surface dimple phenomenon by gradually reducing the thickness of the inlet oil layer. Findings The increase in the starvation degree reduces the dimple depth, film thickness, the pressure peak and the temperature rise. Under the severe starvation condition, the dimple is eliminated so that the EHL contact becomes partly parched. In elliptical results, for the same starvation parameters, the oil replenishment is stronger than that in circular contact. Originality/value This paper fulfils an exploration to study how the oil starvation influences the surface dimple phenomenon.