Study on Second-Order Fluid Thin Film Lubrication

Secondorder fluid theory was introduced to research thin film lubrication problem. Thus a new mathematical model applicable to thin film lubrication was established by taking into account the nonNewtonian and solidlike properties of the thin lubricating film. The numerical analysis of linecontact thin film lubrication was carried out to assess the validity of the established model to the solution of thin film lubrication problem. It was found that the central film thickness of a thin lubricating film determined from the established model was much larger than that of a Newtonian fluid. Moreover, the thin lubricating film showed better loadcarrying capacity than the Newtonian fluid, with the film thickness to be more loosely related to the speed as well. This conformed well to the experimental phenomenon, indicating that the established model was applicable to the theoretic calculation and analysis of thin film lubrication.