Rheological texture in a journal bearing with magnetorheological fluids

Abstract This paper discusses a new type of hybrid journal bearing in which a magnetorheological fluid is used in combination with local magnetic fields, such that the hydrodynamic and hydrostatic working regimes are not compromised. This demonstrates the potential of using the concept of rheological texture in bearings. The performance of this new type of bearing is assessed via Finite Element Modelling (FEM) in which the behaviour of the fluid film is described by the ideal Bingham plastic fluid model. Both the yield stress and the viscosity increase as a function of the magnetic field.