Numerical modelling of elastohydrodynamic lubrication in soft contacts using non‐Newtonian fluids
International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow
ISSN: 0961-5539
Article publication date: 1 June 2002
Abstract
The paper focuses on the solution of a numerical model to explore the sliding and non‐Newtonian fluid behaviour in soft elastohydrodynamic nip contacts. The solution required the coupling of the fluid and elastomer regimes, with the non‐Newtonian fluid properties being described using a power law relationship. The analysis showed that the fluid characteristics as defined by the power law relationship led to large differences in the film thickness and flow rate with a movement of the peak pressure within the nip contact. The viscosity coefficient, power law index and sliding ratio were shown to affect the nip performance in a non‐linear manner in terms of flow rate and film thickness. This was found to be controlled principally by the level of viscosity defined by the power law equation. The use of a speed differential to control nip pumping capacity was also explored and this was found to be most sensitive at lower entrainment speeds.
Keywords
Citation
Bohan, M.F.J., Fox, I.J., Claypole, T.C. and Gethin, D.T. (2002), "Numerical modelling of elastohydrodynamic lubrication in soft contacts using non‐Newtonian fluids", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 494-511. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615530210433297
Publisher
:MCB UP Ltd
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited