Steady-state performance of elliptical contact lubricated with micropolar fluids

Abstract

In this work, the numerical investigation is done for the steady-state performance of elliptical contacts lubricated with micropolar fluids. The Eringen’s micro-continuum theory is applied to deduce the modified Reynolds equation for micropolar fluids. The modified Reynolds equation is discretized by the finite difference technique and evaluated by a multigrid technique for finding the steady-state pressure distribution; simultaneously, the elasticity equation is solved with the multilevel multi-integration method. The numerical solution is achieved under isothermal conditions and considering the exponential variation of viscosity with pressure. The effect of micropolar parameters, i.e. nondimensional characteristics length defines the molecular length of the blended additives, and coupling number measures the coupling between the angular and linear momentum of molecules, and operating parameters are studied. Owing to the analysis, the pronounced effect of the micropolar parameters on the elastohydrodynamic lubrication of elliptical contacts is observed and which cannot be avoided. Lubricants added with solid additives and coupling between linear and angular momentum improved the overall film thickness and pressure and enhanced the load-carrying capacity. Also, a nominal rise in the traction coefficient is noticed, but this increase in the traction coefficient is quite less when compared to Newtonian fluids.