Coupled Dynamics of Flow, Microstructure and Conductivity in Sheared Suspensions

TitleCoupled Dynamics of Flow, Microstructure and Conductivity in Sheared Suspensions
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsOlsen T., Helal A., McKinley G.H, Kamrin K.
JournalSoft Matter
Volume12
Pagination7688-7697
Abstract

We propose a model for the evolution of the conductivity tensor for a flowing suspension of electrically conductive particles. We use discrete particle numerical simulations together with a continuum physical framework to construct an evolution law for the suspension microstructure during flow. This model is then coupled with a relationship between the microstructure and the electrical conductivity tensor. Certain parameters of the joint model are fit experimentally using rheo-electrical conductivity measurements of carbon black suspensions under flow over a range of shear rates. The model is applied to the case of steady shearing as well as time-varying conductivity of unsteady flow experiments. We find that the model prediction agrees closely with the measured experimental data in all cases.

DOI10.1039/C6SM01199C

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