Viscoelastic effects on the stability of thin-film parallel flow in lubrication applications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2000

Abstract

The analysis is concerned with the effect of fluid-elasticity on the stability of laminar parallel flow. The widely used multigrade oils contain polymer additives that make them viscoelastic. These oils are widely used for high shear-rate laminar flow of hydrodynamic lubrication, where flow instability is undesirable because it significantly increases the viscous friction losses. A fluid model is applied where the stress-relaxation effect is considered in addition to the fluid viscosity. However, the normal stresses are disregarded. Extended Orr-Sommerfeld type analysis has been performed for elastic fluid films of lubrication. The conclusion is that the elasticity of the fluid has a destabilizing effect. For parallel flow, the transition to instability is at lower Reynolds number in comparison to Newtonian fluids.

Identifier

0347317400 (Scopus)

Publication Title

American Society of Mechanical Engineers Fluids Engineering Division Publication FED

ISSN

08888116

First Page

49

Last Page

54

Volume

252

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