Classically, many assumptions are used to model the fluid behaviour in a lubricated contact : continuous film, constant viscosity across the film thickness, film thickness is very thin compared to other contact dimensions, Newtonian lubricant... However, some of them are not well-founded for the study of Elasto-HydroDynamic contacts with high sliding or to estimate the liquid distribution at the exit of the contact. An original numerical approach, based on the general fluid mechanics equations and taking into account the fluid/solid coupling and thermal effects, is developed here in order to give more physical insights to the usual modelling. First of all, the thermal effects are shown on the friction coefficient evolution for Thermo- EHD contacts. A minimum value is found concerning the friction value for the pure sliding case. It is explained by analyzing the heat transfer between the solids and the lubricant. The origin of the resulting local modifications of the film thickness and the existence of a film thickness for zero entrainment velocity cases are related to the presence of a high viscosity gradient through the film. A qualitative comparison is performed with experimental data from literature, validating the results. Second, the free surface flow of the lubricant around the contact is experimentally and numerically studied with a diffuse interface method. The capillary effects on the air/lubricant meniscus position are analyzed and quantitatively compared with experimental data from literature. Good agreements are found. An analytical approach is then developed, based on the numerical study of the two-phase flow. An analytical law predicting the liquid distribution is obtained. The exit area of EHD contacts is then investigated with a vaporous cavitation model highlighting the necessity of taking into account the effects of surrounding air and surface wettabillity. Finally, a first approach of the tri-dimensional two-phase flow is performed, showing the capillary effects on the interface location.
