Cavitation Bubble Measurement in Tribological Contacts Using Digital Holographic Microscopy

The use of advanced measurement techniques such as the digital holography method described in this paper improves the understanding of the cavitation phenomenon in tribological contacts such as the sliding contact of the piston ring-cylinder liner conjunction. The paper describes the use of digital holography measurement technique to measure cavitation bubble formation and thickness. The position of observed lubricant film rupture preceding the cavitation region is compared with some commonly predicted boundary often used with Reynolds equation. The experimental results indicate that the Reynolds and Elrod boundary conditions are the most suitable for the investigated sliding contact conditions.