The research work reported in this article is focused on the use of magnetic fluids as active lubricant for improving the performance of hybrid journal bearings, with application to high-precision machine tools. Prototype design was optimized following numerical computation of Reynolds equation and computational fluid dynamics calculations, in both cases with Herschel–Bulkley model for the magnetorheological fluid. This fluid (LORD Corp. MRF 122-2ED) was experimentally characterized in detail. The improvement of the hydrodynamic effect in journal bearings was demonstrated with 50% higher load capacity and stiffness, mainly at half of shaft eccentricity 0.4 < ε < 0.7. Active hydrostatic lubrication achieved quasi-infinite stiffness within working limits (load and speed), at low frequencies. For high dynamic response, the active lubrication based on magnetorheological valves did not show good response. The feasibility of using magnetic fluids for developing high performance machine tool spindles and the validity of the simulation models was demonstrated experimentally.
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