The various lubrication regimes encountered in engineering are listed and the basic characteristics of each regime described. This survey covers hydrodynamic, elastohydrodynamic, mixed, and boundary lubrication conditions.
The geometric, kinematic, and loading conditions in human joints are examined, and the basic properties of synovial fluid and articular cartilage, as the lubricant and bearing material respectively, noted. An assessment of the hydrodynamic, boundary, weeping, and elastohydrodynamic modes of operation which have been proposed as explanations of the performance of human joints is presented.
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