Geometrical Shape Effects of Surface Texture on the Elastic Deformation in Soft-EHL Contacts

In order to investigate the elastic deformation behavior of surface texture on sliding bearings with relatively soft material under lubricated condition, observation on the deformed surface around the dimple patterns, including circular, elliptical, triangular, quadrangular, and diamond, is performed by optical interferometry. Comparison of elastic deformation around different geometrical shaped dimples is conducted. The results indicate that the geometrical shape of the dimple has obvious influence on the elastic deformation of the textured surface; both the maximum and scope of deformation are closely related to the geometrical shape of the dimple. The geometrical shape effect becomes increasingly remarkable with growth of applied load. Finally, the optimum geometrical shape of surface texture for soft-EHL contacts with respect to the minimum elastic deformation is obtained.