Local effects in EHL contacts with oil-impregnated sintered materials

Oil-impregnated open-pored sintered materials can be used to provide the intrinsic self-lubrication of tribological contacts. Although its general functionality was recently confirmed for highly-loaded contacts, detailed analyses on the local effects of surface porosity in tribological contacts are required in order to understand and improve its operating behavior. In this context, this study investigates the influence of different surface finishes at a twin-disk test rig, and the local effects of surface porosity in elastohydrodynamically lubricated (EHL) contacts at an optical tribometer, based on thin film colorimetric interferometry. The results show the detrimental influence of high surface porosity on the operating behavior. Local observations of the lubricant film in EHL contacts indicate the presence of "open" pores, resulting in local film breakdown, and "closed" pores, transporting the additional lubricant into the pressurized zone. An appropriate surface finish technique to manufacture a low permeable layer with an adequate mechanical strength is demanded.