Abstract
This communication explores the novel Cattaneo-Christov heat flux model in three-dimensional flow of couple stress material. The flow is caused by a bidirectional stretching surface. This newly proposed model exhibits the properties of thermal relaxation. Mathematical formulation is performed through the boundary layer approach. The governing nonlinear partial differential system is converted to nonlinear ordinary differential system through adequate variables. The resulting nonlinear system has been solved for the series solutions of velocity and temperature distributions. Convergence of the obtained series solutions is verified. The contributions of various physical parameters are studied and discussed. Skin friction coefficients and heat transfer rate at the wall are also computed and analyzed. Our analysis reveals that the temperature and thermal boundary layer thickness are inversely proportional to the thermal relaxation parameter. Moreover the temperature and thermal boundary layer thickness are lower for Cattaneo-Christov heat flux model in comparison to the classical Fourier's law of heat conduction. To our knowledge such analysis even for the two-dimensional flow of couple stress fluid is not addressed yet. (C) 2017 The Physical Society of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.