The configuration investigated corresponds to that of a face-seal or ungrooved parallel-face thrust bearing. Film thicknesses and temperatures, and shear stresses were measured for various operating conditions with mineral oil supplied at low pressure to the inner edges of the annuli.
Analysis of the experimental results confirms the importance of the bearing parameter, 6ηω02/h02, in determining the load carried hydrodynamically. At a given temperature the mean effective viscosity of the lubricating film depends on the shear rate, for values in the range 106–107 s–1, decreasing linearly above a threshold value. The cause of this phenomenon is believed to be cavitation occurring in the film.
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