Non-Newtonian Behavior of Powder Lubricants Mixed With Ethylene Glycol

Abstract

The rheological properties of two powder lubricants mixed separately with ethylene glycol were determined experimentally. The two powder lubricants were graphite and molybdenum disulfide. Bingham plastic, power law and hyperbolic rheological models were compared with the experimentally determined shear stress-shear rate rheological data. All three models compare favorably with experimental data at high shear rates. The power law and hyperbolic rheological models are realistic candidates at low shear rates. The three rheological models were incorporated into fluid flow equations and solved for the case of pressure induced flow between parallel surfaces. Predicted flow rates of these non Newtonian slurries were checked against laboratory data which was obtained through a test rig designed and built during the study. Presented at the 46th Annual Meeting in Montreal, Quebec, Canada April 29–May 2, 1991