The growing interest in ferrofluid bearings is caused by their excellent self-sealing ability. The understanding of behaviour of ferrofluid film boundary adjacent to ambient air is crucial for the proper design of the sealing unit of ferrofluid bearings. This paper is the first attempt to predict the shape of a ferrofluid free boundary in the presence of a static load and magnetic field. Analysis involves simultaneous integration of the Reynolds equation and the free boundary equation using perturbation technique with respect to shaft eccentricity. Magnetic field is shown to flatten ferrofluid free boundaries as well as to reduce cavitation region; both effects diminishing lubricant leakage.
Preliminary analysis of magnetorheological fluid usability in fluid lubricated bearings has been described in the present study. Results of the study aimed at rheological properties of chosen fluids, which possess magnetic properties (both ferrofluids and magnetorheological fluids) with respect to their application in slide bearings have been presented Preliminary analysis of potential advantages related with the magnetic fluid bearing construction was carried out. Results of measurements of normal force developed within magnetorheological fluid and ferrofluid in result of magnetic field action at various shear rate values have been presented.
Berzelius failed to make use of Faraday's electrochemical laws in his laborious determination of equivalent weights.