Low speed mixed lubrication of bulk metal forming processes

A simple analysis for the lubrication of saw-tooth surfaces with longitudinal lay under conditions of high fractional contact area is developed. This is then coupled with Wilson and Sheu's asperity flattening model to treat the mixed lubrication of a bulk metal forming process (rolling). It is shown that, even under low speed conditions where the inlet zone does not generate significant hydrodynamic pressures, relatively high hydrodynamic pressures can be generated in the work zone. This explains the persistence of hydrodynamic effects noted in low speed experiments.