Hydrodynamic journal bearing lubricated with a ferrofluid

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the performance of a ferrofluid-based hydrodynamic journal bearing system. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a new design of ferrofluid-based hydrodynamic journal bearing. An experimental set-up consisting of a magnetic shaft along with a brass bearing was modified and developed. A permanent magnet was used to make the selected shaft material magnetic. The load and speed were varied to conduct the analyses for different test conditions. Findings The paper provides information about a design of ferrofluid-based journal bearing and its improved performances. For moderate to higher loads at different shaft speeds, it was found that because of the magnetization effect, the maximum film pressure in case of a ferrofluid lubricant increased up to approximately 60 per cent, compared with that of the conventional lubricant-based journal bearing system. Besides, the temperature rise was found smaller for ferrofluid lubricants, thus making the system cooler while running. Originality/value This paper offers a new design of magnetic bearing system for the experimental analysis by utilizing a magnetic shaft with a non-magnetic bearing. The present ferrofluid-based bearing design is less complicated from manufacturing point of view.

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