Analysis of Performance Characteristics of Two-lobe Journal Bearing with Micropolar Lubricant

In this paper, static performance characteristics for a finite lenght two-lobe journal bearing lubricated with micropolar fluid is studied. Using finite element method, steady-state film pressure is obtained by solving modified Reynolds equation, based on micropolar lubrication theory. With the help of film pressure in bearing, the static performance characteristics in terms of load carrying capacity, attitude angle, friction coefficient, and rate of flow leakage of a two-lobe journal bearing are obtained for both Newtonian and micropolar lubricant. Finally, the effect of micropolar fluid characteristics parameters such as coupling number and non-dimensional characteristic length on the bearing static performance are presented. The computed results show that, compared with Newtonian fluids, the micropolar fluids exhibit an increase in load carrying capacity, also increase in attitude angle as well as increase in friction coefficient, while there will be decrease in side leakage flow for a specified external load.