Rolling and Sliding Contact Stress Parameters in Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication

The fatigue life at high operating speeds of machine components, such as bearings, gears, and cams, depends upon the shape and magnitude of the elastohydrodynamic pressure distribution. Studies show that two bodies in rolling contact at high speeds indicate a significant departure from the usual Hertzian pressure distribution present at low rolling speeds. The contact stress distribution for an elastohydrodynamic pressure distribution in an infinitely large plate is determined in this paper. The pressure peak on the outlet side of the contact area and the long pressure sweep on the inlet side of the contact area create a pressure distribution which is asymmetrical. The pressure peak has a significant effect on the normal and shear stresses. Superimposing contact stresses due to sliding indicates a considerable change in the stresses resulting from sliding direction.