Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to present a theoretical study of non-Newtonian effects in conical squeeze-film plates that is based on the Rabinowitsch fluid model. Design/methodology/approach -A non-linear, modified Reynolds equation accounting for the non-Newtonian properties following the cubic stress law equation is derived. Through a small perturbation method, first-order closed-form solutions are obtained. Findings -It is found that the non-Newtonian properties of dilatant fluids increase the load capacity and lengthen the response time as compared to the case using a Newtonian lubricant; however, the non-Newtonian behaviors of pseudoplastic lubricants result in reverse influences. Originality/value -Numerical tables for squeeze-film loads of conical plates are also provided for engineering applications.

A theoretical study of the combined effects of non‐Newtonian couple stresses and fluid inertia forces on the squeeze‐film behaviors for parallel circular plates is presented in this paper. Based upon the micro‐continuum theory, the Stokes constitutive equations are used to account for the couple stress effects resulting from the lubricant blended with various additives. The convective inertia forces included in the momentum equation are approximated by the mean value averaged across the fluid film thickness. Numerical solutions for the squeezing film characteristics are presented for various values of couple stress parameter and Reynolds number. Comparing with the classical Newtonian non‐inertia flow, the combined effects of couple stresses and convective inertia forces result in a larger load‐carrying capacity and therefore, increase the response time of the squeezing film plates.

By applying the micropolar fluid model of Eringen (J. Math. Mech. 16, 1 (1966) and Int. J. Mech. Sci. 31, 605 (1993)), the squeeze film lubrication problems between conical plates are extended in the present paper. A non-Newtonian modified Reynolds equation is derived and applied to obtain the solution of squeeze film characteristics. Comparing with the traditional Newtonian case, the non-Newtonian effects of micropolar fluids are found to enhance the load capacity and lengthen the approaching time of conical plates. Some numerical results are also provided in tables for engineer applications.

This paper studies the behavior of second grade viscoelastic fluid past a cavity in a horizontal channel. The effects of Reynolds number, fluid elasticity and the aspect ratio of the cavity on the flow field are simulated numerically. The equations are converted into the vorticity and stream function equations. The solution is obtained by the finite difference method.The behavior of viscoelastic fluids is quite different from the Newtonian fluid, due to the effects of fluid elasticity. Only one flow pattern appears when the Newtonian fluid past the cavity. However, three kinds of flow patterns appear while the viscoelastic fluids past the cavity by increasing Reynolds number from 20 to 300. The flow field is affected by the fluid elasticity as well as the aspect ratio of the cavity. The transitional flow pattern appears at lower Reynolds number as the higher elasticity fluid past the cavity with larger aspect ratio.

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