On the Stagnation Point Flow of a Special Class of Non-Newtonian Fluids

Abstract

The two-dimensional boundary layer equations for a class of non-Newtonian fluids, for which the apparent viscosity can be expressed as a polynomial in the second scalar invariant of the rate of strain tensor, have been derived. These equations have been employed to analyse the flow near a stagnation point over a stationary impermeable wall. The non-Newtonian effects on the boundary layer velocity profile and the wall skin friction have been studied, and compared with the corresponding Newtonian fluid. The fluid velocity in the boundary layer has been shown to be retarded by the non-Newtonian effect while the skin friction increases proportionate to it.

Key Words:

• Non-Newtonian fluid
• two-dimensional flow
• stagnation point
• boundary layer
• skin friction