Optimal design of parallel sliders with square-shaped textures considering fluid-structure interaction

Purpose Surface texturing has been proven as an effective means of contact performance enhancement. However, limited work has been done to investigate the regular relationship to solve the multi-parameters problem of textures, and inertia effect and elastic deformation were seldom considered together in previous optimization work. This paper aims to quantitatively obtain the relationship between the textured depth and liquid film thickness and find the effect of deformation on the optimal textured height ratio in elastic parallel sliders. Design/methodology/approach Numerical models of hydrodynamic lubrication are established based on the computational fluid dynamic method. Elastic deformation is considered through fluid–structure interaction (FSI) method. Using response surface optimization method, textured parallel sliders are optimized with maximum loading capacity as the objective. Findings The results show that the optimal height ratios are all within the range of 0.60-0.65 when textured parallel sliders are considered as rigid. After considering the effect of elastic deformation, loading capacity drops and is reduced more obviously with a decrease in the elastic moduli. The optimal height ratios are within the range of 0.60-0.63, which shows that FSI has a considerable influence on loading capacity but has no significant influence on the optimal height ratio. Originality/value The present research provides a theoretical reference for engineering application of elastic textured parallel sliders.