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The preceding discussion is a very
simplified attempt to provide a basic description of the
principles involved in hydrodynamic lubrication. For a more
precise, rigorous interpretation refer to American Society
for Metals Handbook Volume 18, listed in the Appendix A.
Simplified equations have been developed to provide
approximations of film thickness with a considerable degree
of precision. Regardless of how film thickness is
calculated, it is a function of viscosity, velocity, and
load. As viscosity or velocity increases, the film thickness
increases. When these two variables decrease, the film
thickness also decreases. Film thickness varies inversely
with the load; as the load increases, film thickness
decreases. Viscosity, velocity, and operating temperature
are also interrelated. If the oil viscosity is increased the
operating temperature will increase, and this in turn has a
tendency to reduce viscosity. Thus, an increase in viscosity
tends to neutralize itself somewhat. Velocity increases also
cause temperature increases that subsequently result in
viscosity reduction.
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