Title

INFLUENCE OF POLYMER SHEAR THINNING ON FRICTION IN HYDRODYNAMIC CONTACTS

Authorship

Nigel Marx; Robert Ian Taylor; Hugh Spikes

Nigel Marx

I am this author

Robert Ian Taylor

I am this author

Hugh Spikes

I am this author

DOI

10.5151/1472-5836-25473

Downloads

Abstract

In order to understand (and ultimately to predict) the friction reduction resulting from the use of polymer solutions, the rheological properties of model polymer solutions have been measured over a wide range of shear rates. Both temporary and permanent shear thinning have been observed. By using base fluids of different viscosities it has been shown that permanent shear thinning depends more closely on the shear stress experienced by the fluid than on the strain rate. Hydrodynamic measurements have been made on the polymer solutions using a compliant ball on flat lubricated contact that operates in isoviscous-elastic conditions. The measured friction values can only be predicted with reasonable accuracy if the measured shear thinning properties of the lubricant are taken into account in the hydrodynamic model.

Keywords

Viscosity modifier; Shear thinning; Hydrodynamic friction; Permanent viscosity loss