Static Characteristics of High-Speed Slider Bearings Lubricated with Non-Newtonian Fluids : In the Case of Infinitely Long Bearings

Abstract

In this paper, the static characteristics of infinitely long high-speed slider bearings lubricated with non-Newtonian fluids are examined theoretically by considering the fluid inertia effect. In the derivation of the modified Reynolds equation, the fluid inertia terms in the momentum equation for the lubricant film are averaged over the film thickness, and the Rabinowitsch empirical model is used as a constitutive equation of non-Newtonian fluids. Applying the modified Reynolds equation to the infinitely long slider bearings, the film pressure, load carrying capacity, friction force and inlet flow rate are obtained under various values of the dimensionless nonlinear factor and film thickness ratio, and the effect of fluid inertia on these static characteristics is discussed.