The influence of elastic deformation upon film thickness in lubricated bearings with low elastic modulus coatings

The elastic deformation of a layered surface firmly bonded to a rigid substrate has been calculated for an infinitely wide nominal line contact between a cylinder and a plane using both a simplified model, the so-called constrained column model, and a full elasticity model. The results are presented for different values of Poisson's ratio and loading width. The effects upon contact and lubrication analyses have also been examined. The general conclusion is that the constrained column model can be reasonably applied to predict the elastic deformation and hence to perform the contact and lubrication analyses if Poisson's ratio is less than about 0.45 and the ratio of the loading width to the layer thickness is greater than about 2. (A)