ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Mech. Eng.
Sec. Tribology
Simulation-Based Parameter Optimization and Experimental Assessment of Single-and Multi-Dimple Textures in Full-Film Lubrication
Provisionally accepted
- 1University of Leoben, Leoben, Austria
- 2Montanuniversitat Leoben, Leoben, Austria
- 3Anton Paar GmbH, Graz, Austria
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A numerical approach is used to identify optimal parameters for a single-dimple and multi-dimple textured convergent oil film gap. To ensure that such surface textures can be easily manufactured, the widely used manufacturing technique of milling is employed. Additionally, a novel test methodology was implemented on a rheometer / tribometer to evaluate the performance of these textures in full-film lubrication. So, a numerical-and an experimental approach are utilized. Within this experimental methodology, the rotational speed, temperature and minimal oil film gap are varied. The experiments show that the single-dimple texture leads to the highest load carrying capacity. The drag force of both textures is similar at a temperature of 23°C and is less than the drag force of the untextured oil film gap. As the temperature increases, this beneficial effect, of reducing drag is no longer observed. However, the load-carrying capacity of both textures remains higher compared to the untextured oil film gap.
Keywords: Convergent oil film gap, Full-film lubrication, Numerical and Experimental Approach, Single-and Multi-dimple Textures, Surface Textures
Received: 19 Nov 2025; Accepted: 10 Dec 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Scharf, Pusterhofer, Grün and Staudinger. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Raphael Scharf
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