A self-similar solution for forced convection boundary layer flow of a FENE-P fluid

Boundary layer flow of a viscoelastic fluid subjected to an external pressure gradient, surface mass flux and nonisothermal surface temperature is considered. We show that for a FENE-P fluid, the flow is governed by a generalized Falkner-Skan equation which admits a similarity solution only when the streamwise coordinate exponent of the inviscid velocity m = 1/3 (i.e. for axisymmetric stagnation point flow). We find that skin friction drag decreases while heat transfer at the plate increases as polymer extensibility decreases. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.