Numerical investigation of squeeze film lubrication on bioinspired hexagonal patterned surface
Industrial Lubrication and Tribology
ISSN: 0036-8792
Article publication date: 11 January 2022
Issue publication date: 21 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the squeeze film lubrication properties of hexagonal patterned surface inspired by the epidermis structure of tree frog’s toe pad and numerically explore the working mechanism of hexagonal micropillar during the acquisition process of high adhesive and friction for wet contacts.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-dimensional elastohydrodynamic numerical model is employed for the squeezing contacts. The pressure distribution, load carrying capacity and liquid flow rate of the squeeze film are obtained through a simultaneous solution of the two-dimensional Reynolds equation and elasticity deformation equations.
Findings
Higher pressure is found to be longitudinally distributed across individual hexagonal pillar, with pressure peak emerging at the center of hexagonal pillar. Expanding the area density and shrinking the channel depth or initial film thickness will improve the magnitude of squeezing pressure. Relatively lower pressure is generated inside interconnected channels, which reduces the load carrying capacity of the squeeze film. Meanwhile, the introduction of microchannel is revealed to downscale the total mass flow rate of squeezing contacts.
Originality/value
This paper provides a good proof for the working mechanism of surface microstructures during the acquisition process of high adhesive and friction for wet contacts.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper is based on the research work supported by the Science and Technology Research Project of Education Department of Jiangxi Province (No. GJJ190506), the High-Level Talents Scientific Research Initiation Project of Jiangxi University of Science and Technology (No. 205200100534) and Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation Project (20171BAB206030).
Citation
Su, B., Zou, X. and Huang, L. (2022), "Numerical investigation of squeeze film lubrication on bioinspired hexagonal patterned surface", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 74 No. 1, pp. 144-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-07-2021-0247
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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