Analysis of Nanoparticle Additive Couple Stress Fluids in Three-layered Journal Bearing

The present theoretical study investigates the load capacity and friction coefficient in
a three-layered journal bearing lubricated with nanoparticle additive couple stress fluids. The
couple stresses effects are analyzed based on Stokes micro-continuum theory. The
nondimensional pressure and shear stress expressions are derived using modified Reynolds
equation. The nondimensional load capacity increases and the coefficient of friction decreases
using nanoparticle additive lubricants with couple stress effects. The three-layered journal
bearing performance characteristics are improved with increase in both (i) surface adsorbent
fluid film layer thickness and (ii) dynamic viscosity ratio of surface to core layer.