A Review of Elasto-Hydrodynamic Lubrication Theory

The development and understanding of elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) can be traced back to the beginning of the previous century. However, it was not until 1949 that the first real solution of the problem was published. Since then, the technology has evolved enormously. In the current article a summary of these developments is given. Smooth surface EHL has become well established. Numerical methods, analytical solutions, and experimental techniques have become mature. Focus areas of research today are thermal EHL, starved EHL, friction (non-Newtonian lubricants), roughness, and grease. The scope of EHL is so wide that the authors needed select the topics of focus in this article. Therefore, in addition to the general overview of the areas of friction, analytical methods, starved EHL, and grease EHL are highlighted in this article.