The steady state performance of a hydrodynamic journal bearing with a non-newtonian lubricant

Using the Reiner-Philippoff shear stress-shear strain rate relation a modified form of Reynolds equation is derived for a non-Newtonian (shear thinning as well as shear thickening) lubricant under conventional hydrodynamic lubrication approximations. A finite difference iteration scheme with successive over-relaxation incorporating Reynolds boundary conditions is used to obtain the pressure distribution of a cylindrical journal bearing. Steady state performance characteristics such as load capacity, friction and flow rate are obtained for various values of non-linear parameters. The results presented in dimensionless form and applicable to shear-thinning as well as shear-thickening lubricants are compared with established results for New-tonian lubricants. © 1979.