A boundary layer flow analysis of a magnetohydrodynamic fluid over a shrinking sheet

Abstract

A steady-state boundary layer flow analysis of a non-Newtonian magnetic fluid over a shrinking sheet was studied. The boundary layer thickness and the velocity distribution in the layer were studied under the conditions of a uniform magnetic field normal to the shrinking sheet and/or a vertical uniform mass suction across the sheet. The similarity transformation method was used to transform the governing partial differential equations to ordinary differential equations. The shooting method with Newton’s algorithm and Runge–Kutta integration method were used to obtain the solutions of the equations. The results showed that the variation of the flow velocity profiles in the boundary layer was significant, the thickness of the boundary layer was thinner, and the skin friction coefficient was bigger for either shear thinning or shear thickening magnetic fluids under the conditions of a stronger magnetic field or a larger mass suction effect.