Film thickness predictions for line contact using a new Reynolds–Carreau equation

• Film thickness predictions are calculated using a new Reynolds–Carreau equation.
• Pressure, shear stress and shear rate are also shown with the new equations.
• The results are very close to accurate simulations of others authors.
• The new equation is more general than other approximated Reynolds–Carreau equations.

This article presents a film thickness prediction, using a new analytical form of the one-dimensional Reynolds equation, for lubricants whose rheological behaviour follows a modified Carreau model proposed by Bair. The development of the new equation was presented inNew Reynolds equation for line contact based on the Carreau model modification by Bair, Tribol Int 55 (2012) 141–147.Hereby the numerical calculation process is presented and the ensuing results of film thickness, mid-plane shear stress and shear rate are compared with those published by other researchers for line contact in elastohydrodynamic lubrication.