Modelling of Couette flow in microchannels with textured surfaces

Abstract

The effects of surface texturing patterns on the Couette flow in microchannels with sliding surfaces are analysed by means of computational fluid dynamics simulations. Different types of patterns are analysed, as well as different microchannel sizes. This study is focused on synthetic patterns, such as the microgrooves that are manufactured on the surface of a rubber seal to improve its friction performance. Based on the numerical results, an average model for the Couette flow is proposed. This average flow model includes a correction flow factor that has a direct dependence with the relative roughness, computed as the ratio of the mean height of the patterns and the channel hydraulic diameter.