• EFFECTS OF VISCOSITY VARIATION DUE TO ADDITIVES ON SQUEEZE FILM CHARACTERISTICS OF LONG PARTIAL JOURNAL BEARING: COUPLE STRESS FLUID MODEL

Abstract

In this paper, the effects of viscosity variation on the squeeze film characteristics of long partial journal bearing lubricated with couple stress fluid are investigated. Using the Stokes constitutive equations, the modified Reynolds equation applicable to couple stress fluids is derived by considering viscosity variation along the film thickness. The film pressure distribution is solved and other squeeze film characteristics such as the load carrying capacity and time – height relationship are obtained. The results indicate that lubrication by couple stress fluids will increase the load carrying capacity and lengthen the squeezing time. It is also found that viscosity variation parameter tends to decrease the load carrying capacity.