Effects of surface roughness and non-Newtonian micropolar fluids on dynamic characteristics of wide plane slider bearings

• Performances of rough slider bearings with non-Newtonian fluids are investigated.
• A stochastic non-Newtonian dynamic Reynolds equation has been derived.
• Surface roughness effects provide significant influences on bearing characteristics.

Based on the Eringen's microcontinuum theory and the Christensen's stochastic theory, the combined effects of non-Newtonian rheology and surface roughness on the dynamic characteristics of slider bearings have been investigated. According to the results, the effects of transverse roughness provide an increase in the load capacity and dynamic coefficients as compared to the smooth bearing lubricated with micropolar fluids, whereas the influences of longitudinal roughness yield a reversed trend. The quantitative effects of rough surfaces and non-Newtonian fluids on bearing performances are more pronounced for higher values of the roughness parameter, the coupling parameter and the interacting parameter.