Predicting the failure of a thin liquid film loaded with spherical particles

A model is presented for predicting the failure of a thin liquid film stabilized by attached inert particles. A statistical analysis of roughly 3500 Surface Evolver1 simulations was used to identify the relationship between the packing density of the particles on the film, their contact angle distribution, and the capillary pressure required to rupture the film. The model presented allows a fast and simple method of calculating the range of pressures a thin film in a three-phase froth will fail at based upon three variables: the film loading, mean particle contact angle, and the standard distribution of contact angles round the mean. The predicted range of failure pressures can be used in simulations of bulk froth properties where bubble coalescence is an important factor governing the froth properties.