The comparison of the steady state characteristics between a hydrodynamic 3-wave journal bearing and a plain circular journal bearing was presented.The influence of the wave amplitude ratio and the installation angle on the steady state characteristics of the wave journal bearing was analyzed.Numerical results show that,in most cases,the wave journal bearing has a larger load carrying capacity than the plain circular journal bearing,but the opposite situation may occur at some wave amplitude ratio and some installation angleIn general,the load carrying capacity of the wave journal bearing is increased with the increase of the wave amplitude ratio,however,this rule may no longer apply when the wave amplitude ratio is less than 0.15.The installation angle has a quite complicated influence on the steady state characteristics of the wave journal bearing.Furthermore,the influence varies with the variety of the wave amplitude ratio and the eccentricity ratioTherefore,the installation angle must be considered carefully in the design and utilization of wave journal bearings.