Squeeze film characteristics of parallel circular disks lubricated by ferrofluids with non-Newtonian couple stresses

The parallel circular squeeze film disks with a non-Newtonian ferrofluid in the presence of transverse magnetic fields are investigated in this paper. A modified Reynolds equation is derived by applying the Shliomis ferrohydrodynamic model incorporating the Stokes microcontinuum theory. Some special cases can be recovered from the present study. Comparing with the Newtonian non-ferrofluid case, the non-Newtonian ferrofluid lubricated squeeze films provide a higher load capacity and lengthen the approaching time. Some numerical results of the load capacity for various parameters are also included in a table for engineering applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.