Axisymmetric stagnation-point flow over a lubricated surface

Axisymmetric stagnation-point flow is considered. A Newtonian fluid impinges orthogonally on a plane surface lubricated by a thin non-Newtonian liquid film of variable thickness. A slip-flow boundary condition is deduced, which allows for partial slip at the surface. The amount of slip, from full slip to no-slip, is controlled by a dimensionless slip coefficient. Similarity solutions are generally prohibited by the slip-flow boundary condition, except for one particular value of the power-law index of the lubricant. Solutions are presented for this case in order to demonstrate the influence of partial slip on the stagnation point flow. With increasing slip and reduced surface stress, a thinning of the viscous boundary layer is observed. The classical Homann flow is recovered in the no-slip limit.