A Numerical Approach to Investigate Mixed Friction Systems in the Micro Scale

This article deals with an approach on the numerical analysis of mixed friction systems. By means of the Finite Element Method, the influence of a set of selected parameters on the behavior of frictional contact systems is determined. A two dimensional model is built in a Finite Elements (FE) software and composed of one fluid lubricating two sliding rough surfaces. To model the interactions between the fluid and the solid structure, the Coupled-Eulerian-Lagrangian meshing process is utilized for its ability to simulate large contact domain topology changes occurring when two rough lubricated surfaces are sliding. Based on an axial floating bearing, the model calculates the contact pressure, the stress and also the friction coefficient between the two lubricated solids. The main friction coefficient is separated into solid-solid and fluid-solid friction part. This approach gives the opportunity to identify the influence parameters on the tribological behavior of mixed friction systems.