Couple stresses in the lubrication of rolling contact bearings considering cavitation

Abstract The effects of couple stresses on the lubrication of rolling contact bearings, including the effects on cavitation, were studied by defining a parameter l which has dimensions of length. It was found that, the larger the chain length of the lubricant or additive molecule, the greater are the effects due to couple stresses. The presence of couple stresses produces an increase in the load capacity. However, cavitation is accelerated.