The application of boundary‐layer theory to power‐law pseudoplastic fluids: Similar solutions

Abstract

Abstract Two‐ and three‐dimensional boundary‐layer equations have been developed for pseudoplastic non‐Newtonian fluids which can be characterized by a power‐law relationship between shear stress and velocity gradient. The types of potential flows necessary for similar solutions to the boundary‐layer equations have been determined. For two‐dimensional flow the results are similar to those obtained for Newtonian fluids. For three‐dimensional flow, however, the possibility of similar solutions depends on the nature of the expression which describes effective viscosity of the fluid. At most, similar solutions are possible only for the case of flow past a flat plate where the potential velocity vector is not perpendicular to the leading edge of the plate; this is a much more restrictive condition than is obtained for Newtonian fluids.