Virtual texturing: Modeling the performance of lubricated contacts of engineered surfaces

Engineering practices and analyses have indicated that surface textures and topography may significantly affect the tribological performance of contact interfaces. Such an influence may be complicated and difficult to be captured with only a few statistic surface parameters. The need for further improvement of the performance and life of machine elements requires that surface topography and textures be optimized. The utilization of a numerical tool to determine the basic geometric aspects of surface textures may be named a virtual texturing technology, with which surface optimization may start from patterned surfaces where topography can be precisely quantified and the relationship between textures and lubrication performance can be numerically established. Presented in this paper are the concept of the virtual texturing technology, models involved, and a preliminary exploration of the relationship between a dimpled texture design and the mixed lubrication characteristics for a typical counterformal contact. The dimple influence area and the number of interruption are found to be two key factors for designing dimpled surfaces for counterformal contact lubrication. It is demonstrated that virtual texturing is able to provide comparative information and directions for innovative surface design and optimization.