Analytical model for the thermo-hydrodynamic behaviour of a thin lubricant film

The thermo-hydrodynamic behaviour of lubricant films strongly depends on the operating conditions (pressure, speed), on the physical properties of the lubricant, on the temperature level and, furthermore, it is often nonlinear. The thermo-hydrodynamic study of a thin fluid film confined between two parallel planes on relative motion is presented in this paper. The case considered is that of not fully developed thermal conditions and physical properties of the lubricant independent of temperature. A 2D analytical solution is proposed to determine the temperature distribution. The physical parameters affecting the characteristic length, beyond which the flow becomes thermally developed, are determined.