A modified viscosity approach for shear thinning lubricants

Lubrication is essential to minimize wear and friction between contacting surfaces in relative motion. Oil based lubricants are often enhanced via polymer additives self-degradation due the shear thinning effect. Therefore, an accurate estimate of load carrying capacity thin lubricating film requires careful modeling thinning. Available models such as generalized Reynolds equation (GR) approximate distribution have drawbacks large computational time poor accuracy, respectively. In this work, we present a new approach, i.e., modified viscosity (MV) model, on calculating strain rate only one point along vertical direction. We investigate, for both MV GR, load, maximum pressure, (i) sliding (non-cavitating) contacts, (ii) cavitating, (iii) squeezing contacts. observe that reduced considerably non-cavitating rolling contacts by several orders magnitudes cavitating Furthermore, accuracy comparable with GR model within appreciable range bearing numbers. Finally, each type boundary motion, determined optimal location calculate MV; while value close half height contact configurations, dominated it around quarter (or three quarter) their height. finally provide analysis priori rate.