Molecularly thin liquid films of alkanes in extreme conditions in a boundary lubrication regime have been investigated. The wall is modeled as a rough atomic sinusoidal wall. The effect on the boundary condition of the roughness characteristics, given by the period and amplitude of the sinusoidal wall, is studied here. The effect of the molecular length of the lubricating fluid is also examined here. The results show that the relative size of the fluid molecules and wall roughness determines the slip or nonslip boundary conditions. The effect of wall roughness characteristics on the rheological properties of the lubrication film is also studied.

• Received 24 May 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.61.690