Central Film Thicknesses in Elliptical Contacts

Published theoretical calculations for central film thicknesses in circular and elliptical contacts are compared in order to identify the physical processes determining film thicknesses in the piezoviscous regime as conditions change from elastic to rigid. It is suggested that the reduction in film thickness below an asymptotic calculation found by Hooke (1) for conditions well into the elastic piezoviscous regime can be accounted for by side leakage of oil in the inlet.