Mixed convection in the stagnation-point flow of a Maxwell fluid towards a vertical stretching surface

In the present analysis, we study the steady mixed convection boundary layer flow of an incompressible Maxwell fluid near the two-dimensional stagnation-point flow over a vertical stretching surface. It is assumed that the stretching velocity and the surface temperature vary linearly with the distance from the stagnation-point. The governing nonlinear partial differential equations have been reduced to the coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations by the similarity transformations. Analytical and numerical solutions of the derived system of equations are developed. The homotopy analysis method (HAM) and finite difference scheme are employed in constructing the analytical and numerical solutions, respectively. Comparison between the analytical and numerical solutions is given and found to be in excellent agreement. Both cases of assisting and opposing flows are considered. The influence of the various interesting parameters on the flow and heat transfer is analyzed and discussed through graphs in detail. The values of the local Nusselt number for different physical parameters are also tabulated. Comparison of the present results with known numerical results of viscous fluid is shown and a good agreement is observed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.