The effects of lubricant rheology on the performance of journal bearings

Experiments have been carried out on a relatively simple journal bearing rig to test the theory that extra load-carrying capacity is generated the elasticity of viscoelastic lubricants. Model lubricants were used. The viscoelastic lubricants were solutions of high-molecular-weight polyisobutene in low-molecular-weight polyisobutene while the inelastic lubricant was low-molecular-weight polyisobutene. The extra load-carrying capacity has been established. An analysis of the detailed results strongly indicates that the extra benefit of elasticity is much greater than that predicted by existing theory. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASLE/ASME Lubrication Conference in San Diego, California, October 22–24, 1984