The aim of this work is related to an analysis of journal bearings lubrication using non-Newtonian fluids which are described by a power-law model. The performance characteristics of the journal bearings are determined for various values of the non-Newtonian power-law index “ ” which is equal to: 0.9, 1, and 1.1. Obtained numerical results show that for the dilatant fluids ( ), the load-carrying capacity, the pressure, the temperature, and the frictional force increased while for the pseudo-plastic fluids ( ) they decreased. The influence of the thermal effects on these characteristics is important at higher values of the flow behavior index “ .” Obtained results are compared to those obtained by others. Good agreement is observed between the different results. 1. Introduction The evolution of machines with severe operating conditions, following to the number of revolutions increasingly high and shafts strongly charged, has a consequence on energy dissipation in the lubricating film by shearing. The dissipated energy induces an increase in the fluid film temperature, a reduction of the lubricant fluid viscosity and the bearing pressure of the mechanism, and a premature wear of the material used. The isothermal theory of lubrication is widely used in the performances determination of the butted and hydrodynamic bearings. However, the technological requirements, such as the increase in loads and the number of revolutions per hours, generate important dissipation of energy in the lubricated mechanisms [1]. The classical theory of lubrication developed by O. Reynolds for isothermal cases is improved by Kingsbury [2] by taking into account the heat transfer phenomena and by assuming the fluid used as viscous and Newtonian. However, in most mechanisms encountered in real situations, non-Newtonian fluids are used in order to increase the lubricants viscosity index by adding additives such as polymers [3]. The first approach modelling of the thermal aspect of lubrication was proposed by Kingsbury, in order to take into account the temperature evolution through the thickness of the film. The method of resolution applied to the conical sleeve viscometer case is a graphic method. In his study, Kingsbury has showed that the shearing stress of the bearing surface is about 40% of the constraint value calculated by using the isothermal theory. It can be deduced easily whereas the heating of the film causes a reduction of the load supported by the shaft of 60% compared to the load calculated by the isothermal theory for similar operating conditions. The behaviour’s law
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