Chapter 5: Theory of Lubrication

This chapter reviews the basic theory of lubrication in the context of metal forming applications. It discusses the rheological properties of fluids and their effect on fluid-film thickness at pressures, temperatures, and loading conditions typical of metal working processes. It describes the three lubrication regimes (boundary, mixed, and hydrodynamic) of a Stribeck curve and the forces that maintain surface separation. It also discusses mixed, elastohydrodynamic, plastohydrodynamic, and solid or semi-solid lubrication, the effects of starvation and frictional instabilities, and the role of elastic deflection and ultrasonic vibration.