Non-Newtonian Fluid Model Incorporated Into Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of Rectangular Contacts

A procedure is outlined for the numerical solution of the complete elastohydrodynamic lubrication of rectangular contacts incorporating a non-Newtonian fluid model. The approach uses a Newtonian model as long as the shear stress is less than a limiting shear stress. If the shear stress exceeds the limiting value, the shear stress is set equal to the limiting value. The numerical solution requires the coupled solution of the pressure, film shape, and fluid rheology equations from the inlet to the outlet. Isothermal and no-side-leakage assumptions were imposed in the analysis. The influence of dimensionless speed U, load W, materials G, and sliding velocity U* and limiting-shear-strength proportionality constant γ on dimensionless minimum film thickness H_min was investigated. Fourteen cases were investigated for an elastohydrodynamically lubricated rectangular contact incorporating a non-Newtonian fluid model. The influence of sliding velocity (U*) and limiting shear strength (γ) on minimum film thickness was observed to be small. Hence the film thickness equation obtained for a Newtonian fluid is sufficient for calculations considering non-Newtonian effects. Computer plots are also presented that indicate in detail pressure distribution, film shape, shear stress at the surfaces, and flow throughout the conjunction.