Lubrication Performances of Short Journal Bearings Operating with Non-Newtonian Ferrofluids

Abstract

The lubrication performances of short journal bearings operating with non-Newtonian ferrofluids have been investigated in the present study. Based upon the ferrofluid model of Shliomis and the micro-continuum theory of Stokes, a two-dimensional modified Reynolds equation is derived by taking into account the effects of rotation of ferromagnetic particles and the effects of non-Newtonian properties. As an application, the short-bearing approximation is illustrated. Comparing with the conventional non-ferrofluid case, the short journal bearings with ferrofluids in the presence of magnetic fields result in a higher load capacity. Comparing with the Newtonian ferrofluid case, the non-Newtonian effects of couple stresses provide an enhancement in the load capacity, as well as a reduction in the friction parameter. The inclusion of non-Newtonian couple stresses signifies an improvement in performance characteristics of ferrofluid journal bearings.