An average flow model of rough surface lubrication with inter-asperity cavitation

Abstract

An average Reynolds equation capable of predicting the effects of roughness induced inter-asperity cavitation is introduced. The average Reynolds equation is based on the JFO cavitation model and the Patir and Cheng flow factor method. The flow factors are calculated in numerical experiments as functions of the local surface separation, surface statistics, and cavitation number. The model is extended into a universal average Reynolds equation capable of predicting the combined effects of inter-asperity cavitation and macroscopic cavitation. Both the Patir and Cheng method and the present model are verified in numerical experiments.