Integration of a Molecular Viscosity Model and a Continuum EHL Solution for Simulation of Thin Film Lubrication

We present a simulation approach for thin film lubrication that integrates a molecular model of the film thickness-viscosity relationship in thin films with a continuum elastohydrodynamic (EHL) lubricated contact solution. Molecular simulation is used to characterize the effect of film thickness on viscosity in terms of solidification, shear thinning, and oscillation. This relationship is then incorporated into a traditional, continuum EHL solution. Film thickness distributions predicted by this integrated model are evaluated. It is found that the effect of the molecular film thickness-viscosity model is small compared to the increase in viscosity with pressure predicted by the Barus equation.