The contact characteristics of rough surfaces in line contact during running-in process

The contact parameters between mating surfaces during running-in process were investigated using a ring-on-block line contact device. The experimental and theoretical results indicate that both contact width and real contact area substantially increased during the running-in process. This increase in contact width might be the main reason that the line contact running-in process increases tribological performance between relative surfaces. During the process, the real contact area was multiplied and its variation can be evaluated by dimensionless correlation distance only for relatively close contact under lubrication conditions.