Lubrication Film Generation with Limited Lubricant Supply and Its Tuned Oil Replenishment in a Cylinder-on-Disc Contact

Limited lubricant supply (LLS) with tuned dosage is an emerging approach to reduce friction and energy consumption. However, LLS can cause severe starvation when the oil insufficient. Therefore, how effectively replenish lubricated contact in operation very important. Using a custom-made optical slider bearing test rig, this work experimentally revealed some characteristics of lubrication cylinder-on-disc contact, proposed two wettability gradient patterns, namely stripe interlaced wettability, regulate improve lubricating properties LLS. The effect these patterns was evaluated according film thickness. interferograms under show that augment replenishment through unidirectional transport by unbalanced interfacial force via gradient. Moreover, pattern more effective due discontinuous distribution from its hydrophilic/hydrophobic region intervals transfer hydrophobic hydrophilic regions.