Reliable plate–plate MRF magnetorheometry based on validated radial magnetic flux density profile simulations

The apparent shear stress from plate–plate magnetorheometry, using the commercial magnetocell MRD180/1T (Physica/Anton Paar) in standard configuration, is distinctly overestimated. The effect is due to a flux density maximum near the sample rim and radial migration of iron particles towards the rim. Radial magnetic flux density profiles were investigated by finite element simulations using the Maxwell^®2D code and by direct Hall probe measurements. The reliability of the finite element method results, both for the empty magnetocell and with magnetorheological fluid (MRF) in the measuring gap, allows conclusions on the true flux density within the MRF, which cannot be accessed by Hall probe measurements. If the MRF sits on top of the bottom yoke (standard configuration), the flux density maximum reaches twice the plateau value (0.74 T for 3 A coil current and 0.3 mm gap height of the investigated MRF). This yields a higher effective flux density and causes radial iron particle migration, resulting in an additional magnetic flux increase near the rim due to augmented MRF magnetisation. As a result, the rotor torque at constant rotary speed increases with time. Reliable results are achieved by a modification of the magnetocell, such that the MRF sits on a non-magnetic Hall disc of 1.5 mm thickness, allowing an online flux density measurement by a FW Bell Hall probe. In this configuration, the radial flux density profile near the rim remains sufficiently flat and no iron particle migration is detected.     

Wall material and roughness effects on transmittable shear stresses of magnetorheological fluids in plate–plate magnetorheometry

A direct comparison of plate–plate magnetorheometry results for nonmagnetic (titanium/brass) and ferromagnetic plates is presented, using a modified Anton Paar magnetocell MRD180/1T. Necessary corrections to derive the true flux density in the magnetorheological fluid (MRF) from the online Hall probe reading and to account for the gap opening effect caused by normal forces on shear stress and flux density are addressed. The measured shear stress versus magnetic flux density characteristics agree in the low flux density regime <0.1 T but yield distinctly higher transmittable shear stresses for ferromagnetic plates at elevated flux densities (49% increase at 1 T for 90% by weight carbonyl iron powder (CIP) and 84% for 85% by weight CIP). Remarkably, the normal force, if corrected for its magnetostatic part, remains independent of the type of plates up to about 0.6 T. We address the role of normal forces, of magnetic interactions between CIP and wall, as well as the role of wall roughness in a solid body friction model. A systematic variation of wall properties and materials was achieved by introducing both a modular rotor and stator, which ease the variation of the walls in contact to the MRF. The transmittable shear stress of nonmagnetic plates (e.g., brass) may be increased up to the level of ferromagnetic disks by a higher wall roughness or by grooves. No shear stress increase is obtained for grooves in ferromagnetic plates, which is explained by the different local flux density modulation at the grooves for ferromagnetic compared to nonmagnetic plates. Finally, we address the effect of ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic coatings on brass and steel disks, and show that, e.g., a layer of CIP on brass efficiently increases the transmittable shear stress.     

Shear localisation with 2D viscous froth and its relation to the continuum model

Simulations of monodisperse and polydisperse (μ ₂(A) = 0.13±0.002) 2D foam samples undergoing simple shear are performed using the 2D viscous froth (VF) model. These simulations clearly demonstrate shear localisation. The dependence of localisation length on the product λV (shearing velocity V times the wall drag coefficient λ) is examined and is shown to agree qualitatively with published experimental data. A wide range of localisation lengths is found at low λV, an effect which is attributed to the existence of distinct yield and limit stresses. The general continuum model is extended to incorporate such an effect and its parameters are subsequently related to those of the VF model. A Herschel–Bulkley exponent of a = 0.3 is shown to accurately describe the observed behaviour. The localisation length is found to be independent of λV for monodisperse foam samples.     

Heat transfer during transient cooling of high temperature surface with an impinging jet

 An experimental study of transient boiling heat transfer during a cooling of a hot cylindrical block with an impinging water jet has been made at atmospheric pressure. The experimental data were taken for the following conditions: a degree of subcooling of ΔT _sub = 20–80 K, a jet velocity of u _j  = 5–15 m/s, a nozzle diameter of d _j  = 2 mm and three materials of copper, brass and carbon steel. The block was initially and uniformly heated to about 250 °C and the transient temperatures in the block were measured at eight locations in r-direction at two different depths from the surface during the cooling of hot block. The surface heat flux distribution with time was evaluated using a numerical analysis of 2-D heat conduction. Behavior of the wetting front, which is extending the nucleate boiling region outward, is observed with a high-speed video camera. A position of wetting region is measured and it is correlated well with a power function of time. The changes in estimated heat flux and temperature were compared with the position of wetting region to clarify the effects of subcooling, jet velocity and thermal properties of block on the transient cooling. Received on 17 March 2000     

End effects in rotational viscometry I. No-slip shear-thinning samples in the Z40 DIN sensor

Neglect of end effects in Couette rotational viscometry introduces a 10–30% error in the estimate of shear stress at the spindle surface. Actual deviations depend on the shear-thinning level of a given sample. We tackle the end effect for the standard sensor Z40 DIN according to the ISO 3219 by solving the related 2D boundary-value problem for a class of shear-thinning viscosity functions. The pseudosimilarity method of treating the primary data leaves an error of about 0.5% in shear stresses. Further reduction in the errors needs a full numerical simulation for each point of the primary data based on a suitable wide-range representation of the viscosity function. To support a high accuracy of torque calibrations, the effect of inertia on torque for Newtonian liquids in standard sensor Z40 DIN at Re < 500 is calculated using the FLUENT 6.2 commercial software. Paper was presented at the 3rd Annual Rheology Conference, AERC 2006, April 27–29, 2006, Crete, Greece.     

Axial annular flow of plastic fluids: dead zones and plug-free flow

In axial annular flow, the shear stress decreases from its value τ(κR) at the inner cylinder to 0 at r = λR and increases from then on to τ(R) at the outer cylinder. For plastic fluids with a yield stress τ _c, λ will be such that flow commences when τ(κR) = τ(R) = τ _c. For fluids with position-dependent yield stresses (electro- and magnetorheological fluids are examples), the situation is more complex. While it is possible that yielding and flow occur everywhere, it is also possible that flow occurs only in parts of the fluid-filled space, and a dead zone (region in which the fluid is at rest) close to one of the walls exists. In that case, the fluid will flow no matter how small the applied pressure difference is. If P is large enough, the dead zone ceases to exist and flow without any plug is possible. The fluid flows as if no yield stress exists.

Three views of viscoelasticity for Cox–Merz materials

A slight rearrangement of the classical Cox and Merz rule suggests that the shear stress value of steady shear flow, , and complex modulus value of small amplitude oscillatory shear, G^∗(ω) = (G^′2 + G^″2)^1/2, are equivalent in many respects. Small changes of material structure, which express themselves most sensitively in the steady shear stress, τ, show equally pronounced in linear viscoelastic data when plotting these with G^∗ as one of the variables. An example is given to demonstrate this phenomenon: viscosity data that cover about three decades in frequency get stretched out over about nine decades in G^∗ while maintaining steep gradients in a transition region. This suggests a more effective way of exploiting the Cox–Merz rule when it is valid and exploring reasons for lack of validity when it is not. The τ −G^∗ equivalence could also further the understanding of the steady shear normal stress function as proposed by Laun.     

Steady-shear viscosity and transient stress response for elasto-thixotropic fluids

A phenomenological model for dispersed systems which exhibit complex rheological behaviour such as shear and time-dependent viscosity, yield stress, and elasticity is proposed. The model extends the Quemeda model to describe the viscosity function with a structural parameter λ which varies according to different kinetic orders of particle aggregation and segregation. The transient stress response is obtained by solving an instantaneous Maxwell model with an assumed shear modulus functionG of the same form as the viscosity function η. Accuracy of the proposed model is verified experimentally with the results obtained for two oil (creosote)/water emulsions. The model that gives the best fit of experimental data appears to be the one with kinetic ordersn=m=2.     

Recoverable deformation and morphology after uniaxial elongation of a polystyrene/linear low density polyethylene blend

The transient recoverable deformation ratio after melt elongation at various elongational rates and maximum elongations was investigated for pure polystyrene and for a 85 wt.% polystyrene/15 wt.% linear low density polyethylene (PS/LLDPE 85:15) blend at a temperature of 170 ^oC. The ratio p of the zero shear rate viscosity of LLDPE to that of PS is p = 0.059 ≈ 1:17. Retraction of the elongated LLDPE droplets back to spheres and end-pinching is observed during recovery. A simple additive rule is applied in order to extract the contribution of the recovery of the elongated droplets from the total recovery of the blend. In that way, the recoverable portion of the PS/LLDPE blend induced by the interfacial tension is determined and compared with the results of a theory based on an effective medium approximation. The effective medium approximation reproduces well the time scale of the experimental data. In addition, the trends that the recoverable deformation increases with elongational rate and maximum elongation are captured by the theoretical approach.     

Combined slit and plate–plate magnetorheometry of a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) and parameterization using the Casson model

We describe a magneto-slit die of 0.34 mm height and 4.25 mm width attached to a commercial piston capillary rheometer, enabling the measurement of apparent flow curves of a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) in the high shear rate regime (apparent shear rates 276 up to 20,700 s^???1, magnetic flux density up to 300 mT). The pressure gradient in the magnetized slit is measured via two pressure holes. While the flux density versus coil current without MRF could directly be measured by means of a Hall probe, the flux density with MRF was investigated by finite element simulations using Maxwell® 2D. The true shear stress versus shear rate is obtained by means of the Weissenberg–Rabinowitsch correction. The slit die results are compared to plate–plate measurements performed in a shear rate regime of 0.46 up to 210 s^???1. It is shown that the Casson model yields a pertinent fit of the true shear stress versus shear rate data from plate–plate geometry. Finally, a joint fit of the slit and plate–plate data covering a shear rate range of 1 up to 50,000 s^???1 is presented, again using the Casson model. The parameterization of the MRF behavior over the full shear rate regime investigated is of relevance for the design of MR devices, like, e.g., automotive dampers. In the Appendix, we demonstrate the drawbacks of the Bingham model in describing the same data. We also show the parameterization of the flow curves by applying the Herschel–Bulkley model.     

Large-eddy Simulation of Film Cooling Flows with Variable Density Jets

The present paper investigates the impact of the velocity and density ratio on the turbulent mixing process in gas turbine blade film cooling. A cooling fluid is injected from an inclined pipe at α=30° into a turbulent boundary layer profile at a freestream Reynolds number of Re_∞ = 400,000. This jet-in-a-crossflow (JICF) problem is investigated using large-eddy simulations (LES). The governing equations comprise the Navier–Stokes equations plus additional transport equations for several species to simulate a non-reacting gas mixture. A variation of the density ratio is simulated by the heat-mass transfer analogy, i.e., gases of different density are effused into an air crossflow at a constant temperature. An efficient large-eddy simulation method for low subsonic flows based on an implicit dual time-stepping scheme combined with low Mach number preconditioning is applied. The numerical results and experimental velocity data measured using two-component particle-image velocimetry (PIV) are in excellent agreement. The results show the dynamics of the flow field in the vicinity of the jet hole, i.e., the recirculation region and the inclination of the shear layers, to be mainly determined by the velocity ratio. However, evaluating the cooling efficiency downstream of the jet hole the mass flux ratio proves to be the dominant similarity parameter, i.e., the density ratio between the fluids and the velocity ratio have to be considered.     

Rheological behavior of dilute solutions of a side-chain liquid-crystalline polysiloxane in 4,4′-n-octylcyanobiphenyl

The electrorheological (ER) behavior and stress transient response of dilute solutions of a side-chain liquid-crystalline polysiloxane (LCP) in 4,4′-n-octylcyanobiphenyl (8CB) is studied. In the flow-tumbling regime of 8CB, i.e. from T = 34–38 °C, the stress transients of both 8CB and LCP/8CB solutions show oscillatory responses, but with shorter oscillation periodicities for the solution. In the flow-aligning regime of 8CB, i.e. at 39 and 40 °C, a transformation to flow-tumbling is observed in the stress transients of the LCP/8CB solution. In both cases, analysis of the transient responses indicates that the change in Leslie viscosity coefficients on dissolving the LCP are δα₂ < 0 and δα₃ > 0. The amplitude of the ER response, defined as the viscosity difference between the on and off states, Δη = η_on − η_off, is only weakly affected by the dissolution of LCP. These rheological results can be interpreted consistently using a modified version of a hydrodynamic theory by Brochard, provided an additional dissipation mechanism is included, which derives from the presence of an elastic torque between director rotation and LCP orientation. Received: 8 September 1999/Accepted: 13 December 1999     

The orientational behavior of multiwall carbon nanotubes in polycarbonate in simple shear flow

This paper describes the changes in the orientation of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in polycarbonate as determined by transient and oscillatory shear rheology. It is well known from rheological studies on composites with macroscopic fibers that the overshoot in transient shear viscosity is caused by the change in orientation distribution of these fibers. This study shows that although an overshoot in transient shear viscosity of MWCNT/polycarbonate is measured at shear rates as low as 0.1 s^− 1, the MWCNT network is disturbed only at considerably higher shear rates. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs and oscillatory shear show that MWCNT in thermoplastic composites will only be oriented at high shear rates. Simultaneous measurements of the electrical conductivity during rheological start-up shear and oscillatory measurements show large differences between electrical and mechanical relaxation behaviors. The viscosity of the composite seems to depend strongly on the MWCNT network density, whereas the proximity of the tubes at the network points seems to determine the electrical properties of the MWCNT composite.     

Combined heat and mass transfer along a vertical moving cylinder with a free stream

The mixed convection flow over a continuous moving vertical slender cylinder under the combined buoyancy effect of thermal and mass diffusion has been studied. Both uniform wall temperature (concentration) and uniform heat (mass) flux cases are included in the analysis. The problem is formulated in such a manner that when the ratio λ(= u _w/(u _w + u _∞), where u _w and u _∞ are the wall and free stream velocities, is zero, the problem reduces to the flow over a stationary cylinder, and when λ = 1 it reduces to the flow over a moving cylinder in an ambient fluid. The partial differential equations governing the flow have been solved numerically using an implicit finite-difference scheme. We have also obtained the solution using a perturbation technique with Shanks transformation. This transformation has been used to increase the range of the validity of the solution. For some particular cases closed form solutions are obtained. The surface skin friction, heat transfer and mass transfer increase with the buoyancy forces. The buoyancy forces cause considerable overshoot in the velocity profiles. The Prandtl number and the Schmidt number strongly affect the surface heat transfer and the mass transfer, respectively. The surface skin friction decreases as the relative velocity between the surface and free stream decreases. Received on 17 May 1999     

Transient rheological behavior of tumbling side-chain liquid crystal polymers and determination of their λ parameters

The transient rheological behavior of several thermotropic nematic side-chain liquid crystal polysiloxanes is investigated. A homopolymer with a low-temperature smectic phase and two random copolymers, one consisting of smectogenic and non-smectogenic mesogens, the other one containing two spacers of different lengths, are studied. All systems are of tumbling type and exhibit oscillations in transient shear stress and first normal stress difference. Only the copolymer with mixed spacers shows a temperature-dependent transition from tumbling to flow-aligning within the nematic phase. The rheological response is slightly different for each polymer. The reactive parameter λ was calculated from the period of the oscillations and compared with rheo-NMR results. For all polymers, λ increases with increasing temperature. The sign of λ, obtained from NMR experiments, is positive for the copolymer with mixed spacers and negative for the other two systems, indicating a prolate shape of the first system and oblate shapes of the other two. Received: 30 April 1999 /Accepted: 2 August 1999     

Magnetorheology in viscoplastic media

Suspensions of iron particles in media with yield stresses were investigated to determine the effect of the continuous phase yield stress on the magnetorheological (MR) response. The steady-shear MR response was independent of the continuous phase yield stress for yield stresses in the range 0.9–37 Pa. The field-induced suspension yield stress increased sub-quadratically with the flux density. The small amplitude oscillatory shear response exhibited history dependence. The storage modulus depended not only on the magnitude of the applied magnetic field, but also on its history. This history dependence can be explained in terms of the field-dependent evolution of the suspension microstructure. Received: 24 February 1999 Accepted: 12 July 1999     

Effects of coincidence window and measuring volume size on laser Doppler velocimetry measurement of turbulence

The effects of coincidence window and measuring volume size on two-component laser velocimeter measurement of turbulence in an isothermal liquid flow through a concentric annular channel were studied. Three different coincidence windows (100–500 μs) and three different measuring volume sizes (diameter, 5–9 wall units; spanwise length, 24–91 wall units) were used in a flow of Reynolds number 31,500 and data density spanning the high end of intermediate to the low end of high (3–6). While no significant effects of the coincidence window and measuring volume size were found on the time-mean velocity and turbulence intensities, the streamwise Reynolds shear stress measured near a wall was found to be markedly affected by both. The smallest feasible measuring volume along with an appropriate coincidence window provides good measurement of the shear stress. Received: 8 September 1999/Accepted: 11 July 2000     

Shear banding during nonlinear creep with a solution of monodisperse polystyrene

Creep experiments with a solution of polystyrene (M _w = 2.6 MDa, 16 vol.%, 25 °C) in diethyl phthalate are reported for stresses between 100 and 2,500 Pa (≈ 3G _N ⁰/4). The aim was to look for a flow transition as reported for strongly entangled poly(isobutylene) solutions. The experiments with the polystyrene solution were repeated for cone angles of 2, 4, and 6° (radius 15 mm) and showed no dependence on cone angle. The Cox–Merz rule was not fulfilled for stresses beyond about 800 Pa. The tangential observation with a CCD camera showed that the edge took a concave shape because of the second normal stress difference. Beyond 1,000 Pa, the concave edge develops into a crevice, thus substantially reducing the effective cross-section. This leads to runaway in a constant torque experiment. At p ₂₁ = 800 Pa, head-on particle tracking confirms that the originally linear velocity profile takes a gooseneck shape, thus revealing shear banding. When the creep stress is stepped down to 100 Pa, this velocity profile evolves back to a linear one. The conclusion from this work is that even if nonlinear creep experiments are reproducible and a steady state is reached, this does not mean that the flow field is homogeneous. This paper was presented at Annual European Rheology Conference (AERC) held in Hersonisos, Crete, Greece, April 27–29, 2006.     

The measurement of thermal conductivity of alcohols from 0 to 80 ∘C by the transient technique

 The thermal conductivities of n- octanol, n-nonanol and n-decanol were measured in the temperature range from 0 to 80 ^∘C, by means of a computer-controlled transient calorimeter. The relations of the thermal conductivities of the three alcohols to temperature were derived as λ (mW/mK)=A−Bt, where A are 165.8, 167.8 and 169.4 mW/mK and B are 0.273, 0.287 and 0.293 mW/mK² for n-octanol, n-nonanol and n-decanol, respectively. The results obtained in this work is much better than the values reported in literature due to the calorimeter being considered to be able to eliminate the effects of convection and radiation. Received on 31 July 2000     

Steady mixed convection boundary-layer flow over a vertical flat surface in a porous medium filled with water at 4°C: variable surface heat flux

The steady mixed convection boundary-layer flow over a vertical impermeable surface in a porous medium saturated with water at 4°C (maximum density) when the surface heat flux varies as x ^m and the velocity outside the boundary layer varies as x ^(1+2m)/2, where x measures the distance from the leading edge, is discussed. Assisting and opposing flows are considered with numerical solutions of the governing equations being obtained for general values of the flow parameters. For opposing flows, there are dual solutions when the mixed convection parameter λ is greater than some critical value λ _c (dependent on the power-law index m). For assisting flows, solutions are possible for all values of λ. A lower bound on m is found, m > −1 being required for solutions. The nature of the critical point λ _c is considered as well as various limiting forms; the forced convection limit (λ = 0), the free convection limit (λ → ∞) and the limits as m → ∞ and as m → −1.