On the appearance of lubricant film rupture in cylindrical journal bearings

Based on energy and mass balances in conjunction with the classical Reynolds equation in the film region, expressions for cavitation phenomenon are developed. They determine the circumferential location angle where cavitation might start, and the potential number of bifurcating fluid streamer surfaces (boundaries between gas-liquid flow) can be estimated. The expressions depend on the journal angular velocity, equilibrium eccentricity ratio, and bearing and fluid characteristics; they strongly influence cavitation and have not been considered in previous studies. Conditions under which the cavitation phenomenon does not occur are also given. Finally, a comparison to previous research results showing a very close agreement is presented.