Surfaces with pores: hydrodynamic lubrication

Purpose - This paper aims to assess the hydrodynamic lubrication of two opposing surfaces with identical pores having a semicircular profile. The surfaces are treated with more than one pore that allows clarification of whether there exists interaction between the pores. Design/methodology/approach - A transient, spatial, one-dimensional model of surfaces with regular pores was developed and applied in the context of fluid lubrication. MATLAB software has been used. Findings - Calculations show that a lubricating film between two surfaces with pores provides better hydrodynamic conditions in comparison to that on one surface with pores. It was also shown that the pores of one surface act as separate objects and can take into account only the interaction between the pores of the opposite surfaces. In addition, it was found that there are optimum values of the pore radii, gap and pore cell dimensions at which the bearing capacity of the film is maximal. Practical implications - The computer program used for the pore parameter calculations provided the optimal lubrication. Originality/value - This is the first study of the lubricating film hydrodynamic behavior of two opposite surfaces with pores having a semicircular profile.