Film-forming capability in rough surface EHL investigated using contact resistance

Highly loaded machine elements such as gears and cams have a non-smooth surface topography that is created during manufacturing. It is well known that the film-building properties of such surfaces may be different from those that are perfectly smooth. The capability to form a separating film may also be altered in time due to run-in phenomena. In this study, a smooth steel ball was loaded against rough steel discs and run under pure rolling as well as sliding conditions. Several different steel surfaces were tested under nominal EHL conditions, where the contact was monitored by means of its electrical resistance and capacitance. Each surface was first run in for 15 min, followed by a sweep-in speed determining the lift-off curve. Electrical contact measurements were continuously conducted during run in as well as lift-off. Fully formulated gear oil and its base fluid were used as test lubricants. Results show that run in of a surface seems to be a competition between conformation of surface topography and tribofilm formation. At the tested conditions, the formation of a tribofilm is dependent on the initial surface topography and is created rapidly causing less metal–metal contact. This film also seems to effectively prohibit changes in surface topography causing less structural run in than expected.