Elastohydrodynamic lubrication

As we all know, bearings can roll, slide or do both simultaneously, therefore lubrication is essential in any bearing to reduce friction (thus wear) and remove heat.

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Elastohydrodynamic, is one of the types of the Full-Film Lubrication. In this type, the contacting surfaces are nonconforming (the gear teeth, cam and follower), then it is more difficult to form a full-film of lubricant, since the nonconforming surfaces tend to expel rather than entrap the fluid. 

• At low speed these joints will be in boundary lubrication, and high wear rates can result with possible scuffing and scoring. 
• The load creates a contact patch from the elastic deflections of the surfaces.
• This small contact patch can provide enough of a flat surface to allow a full hydrodynamic film to form if the relative sliding velocity is high enough.

This is all I wanted to tell about such a kind of lubrication. The name itself is really scary-sounding, but not that strange if you know what it means. 

Reference: Machine Design An Integrated Approach, 4th edition - Robert L. Norton

Peter Deak