Low friction and high load support capacity of slider bearing with a mixed slip surface

The classical Reynolds theory reveals that a converging gap is the first necessary condition to generate a hydrodynamic pressure in a viscous fluid film confined between two solid surfaces with a relative sliding/rolling motion. For hundreds of years, the classical lubrication mechanics has been based on the frame of the Reynolds theory with no slip assumption. Recent studies show that a large boundary slip occurs on an ultrahydrophobic surface, which results in a very small friction drag. Unfortunately, such a slip surface also produces a small hydrodynamic pressure in a fluid film between two solid surfaces. This paper studies the lubrication behavior of infinite width slider bearings involving a mixed slip surface (MSS). The results of the study indicate that any geometrical wedges (gaps), i.e., a convergent wedge, a parallel gap, and even a divergent wedge, can generate hydrodynamic pressure in an infinite slider bearing with a mixed slip surface. It is found that with an MSS, the maximum fluid load support capacity occurs at a slightly divergent wedge (roughly parallel sliding gap) for an infinite width slider bearing, but not at a converging gap as what the classical Reynolds theory predicts. Surface optimization of a parallel sliding gap with a slip surface can double the hydrodynamic load support and reduce the friction drag by half of what the Reynolds theory predicts for an optimal wedge of a traditional slider bearing.