Calculation of viscous EHL traction for squalane using molecular simulation and rheometry

Recently, remarkable agreement was reported between nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation and high-pressure Couette rheometry on squalane. We have utilized the viscosity-strain rate relationship obtained from this unique combination of experimental and simulation data along with high-pressure viscometer measurements to calculate the viscous traction curve in the elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) regime. A comparison with measured traction at 0.57 and 1.29GPa shows excellent agreement, confirming the validity of the measurements and simulations. Thus, we present for the first time, a successful calculation of EHL traction from the liquid shear response obtained from both molecular dynamics and rheometry.