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Evolution of the initial hole in vertically vibrated shear thickening fluids
Yulei Xu1, Xinglong Gong, Yingqiang Sun
1CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China. gongxl@ustc.edu.cn
Shear thickening fluids (STF) exhibit unique surface instabilities when vertically vibrated. These instabilities, including hole disappearance and fission, are influenced by driving acceleration and fluid properties, revealing insights into STF dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Rheology
- Non-Newtonian fluids
Background:
- Shear thickening fluids (STF) display a dramatic increase in apparent viscosity with shear rate.
- This rheological behavior significantly impacts their dynamic properties, particularly under vibration.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for applications involving STFs in vibrated environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the surface instabilities of vertically vibrated shear thickening fluids.
- To elucidate the relationship between shear thickening effects and the evolution of surface holes.
- To explore the influence of various parameters on these dynamic phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of STF by suspending polymethylmethacrylate particles in ethylene glycol.
- Experimental analysis of surface instabilities under controlled vertical vibration.
- Application of a finite perturbation to create an initial hole on the fluid surface.
- Modeling incorporating hydrostatic and viscous dissipative forces.
Main Results:
- Above a critical acceleration, surface instability transitions from hole disappearance to fission.
- The time for hole disappearance is sensitive to driving acceleration, vibration frequency, and perturbation characteristics.
- Hole fission exhibits a hexagonal arrangement, transitioning to disordered coverage at higher accelerations.
- A model correlating hole disappearance with shear thickening was proposed.
Conclusions:
- Vertical vibration induces complex surface instabilities in shear thickening fluids.
- The observed phenomena are directly linked to the shear-dependent viscosity of STFs.
- The study provides a framework for understanding and predicting STF behavior in dynamic systems.
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