Combined effects of viscosity variation and surface roughness on the squeeze film lubrication of journal bearings with micropolar fluids

Abstract

In this paper, a theoretical study of the combined effects of viscosity variation and surface roughness on the squeeze film performance of journal bearings lubricated with micropolar fluid is made. The modified averaged Reynolds equation for micropolar fluids accounting for the randomized surface roughness structure and variation of viscosity is mathematically derived. The Christensen's stochastic theory for hydrodynamic lubrication of rough surfaces is used to study the effect of two types of one dimensional surface roughness patterns on the squeeze film characteristics of a journal bearing with micropolar fluid. Closed form expressions for the mean pressure load carrying capacity are obtained for the infinitely short journal bearing. It is observed that, the transverse surface roughness pattern improves the squeeze film characteristics where as the adverse effects are observed for the one-dimensional longitudinal surface roughness pattern. The effect of variation of viscosity in micropolar fluid on the squeeze film characteristic of rough short journal bearings is analyzed.