Advancing Lubrication Modeling: A Preliminary Study of Finite Element Solutions for Cavitation-Aware Reynolds Equation

In the modern automotive industry, one of the most challenging tasks is minimizing energy losses caused by friction. Despite its significance, only a limited number of numerical simulation tools are available for effectively addressing lubrication-related problems. The accurate modeling of lubrication phenomena requires solving a specialized form of the Navier–Stokes equations, which accounts for cavitation effects within a thin fluid film. To address this, a finite element software is currently under development to solve the Reynolds equation while incorporating cavitation effect. This advanced tool enables the precise simulation of how the microgeometry of contacting surfaces influences the lubrication characteristics of the fluid film. By optimizing these surface features, the research aims not only to reduce energy dissipation but also to ensure the long-term durability of mechanical components. The findings obtained thus far demonstrate promising improvements in lubrication efficiency and structural longevity. These results, along with the methodological advancements, will be presented in detail at the upcoming conference.