Experimental study of the induced flow birefringence of a suspension of rigid particles at the transition from Couette flow to Taylor vortex flow

The flow birefringence induced in solutions of rigid particles is studied experimentally in the region of the axisymmetrical Taylor vortex flow which arises once the velocity gradient G in the annular gap of a conventional Couette cell reaches a critical value G _c .The measurements are performed for several values of G > G _c and for 10 radial observation points in the annular gap. Solutions of two types of rigid particles are investigated: the first is a suspension of flattened clay particles like bentonite, while the second contains rod-like particles of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). The variations of the birefringence intensity n and of the extinction angle measured in the domain of the axisymmetrical flow show a different behavior according to the shape of the particle in solution. This fact is confirmed theoretically with a good agreement for the measurements performed with solutions of flat particles.     

Rheology and birefringence of Fomblin YR at very high shear rates

The rheological and structural properties of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant films including viscosity, shear stress, and birefringence were measured at relatively low to extremely high shear rates using a rotational optical rheometer. The viscosity of various films with different thicknesses exhibit Newtonian behavior up to a shear rate 1 × 10⁴ s⁻¹, with a transition to shear-thinning behavior obvious at higher shear rates. Birefringence of these films was also measured for the first time, and these results indicate chain alignment with shear in the shear-thinning regime. The shear rate at which alignment occurs is similar to that of the onset of shear thinning. This correlation between chain alignment and shear thinning provides direct evidence that the ability of PFPEs to lubricate hard drives at high shear rates is a direct consequence of the ability of the applied shear field to align the molecules on a molecular level.     

Numerical evaluation of extinction angle and birefringence in various directions as a function of velocity gradient

Despite the limitations of the theory of Peterlin and Stuart it still seems to be the best theory for interpreting quantitative flow birefringence measurements performed on solutions of rigid spheroidal particles. First, we repeat the numerical evaluation of the extinction angleX and the orientation factorf _z corresponding to conventional observations realized in a Couette cell, but the values are now given with a higher degree of accuracy and the range of variation of the parameters has been extended. Furthermore, using the same theory, we extend our calculations to other directions of observation. This should contribute towards avoiding false interpretations of birefringence measurements in these directions (as has sometimes occurred). Finally, we present measurements taken along the lines of flow and along the direction of the velocity gradient, thus including the principal situations met in the various cells used in flow birefringence measurements.     

Comparison of optical and mechanical measurements of second normal stress difference relaxation following step strain

Relaxation of the second normal stress difference (N ₂) following step strain of a concentrated monodisperse polystyrene solution has been studied using mechanical and optical rheometry. Measurements of normal thrust in a parallel plate geometry are corrected for strain inhomogeneity and combined with independent measurements of the first normal stress difference (N ₁) to determine N ₂. Optical experiments were performed using a novel configuration where flow birefringence data collected using multiple light paths within the shear plane are combined with the stress-optical law to determine all three independent stress components for shearing deformations. This technique eliminates end effects, and provides an opportunity to oversample the stress tensor and develop consistency checks of experimental data. N ₂ is found to be nonzero at all accessible times, and relaxes in roughly constant proportion to N ₁. This reflects nonaffine distribution of chain segments, even well within the regime of chain retraction at short times. Data collected with the two techniques are reasonably consistent with each other, and with results of previous studies, generally lying between the predictions of the Doi-Edwards model with and without the independent alignment approximation. The normal stress ratio –N ₂/N ₁ shows pronounced strain thinning in the nonlinear regime.     

Characterization and prediction of two-phase flow regimes in miniature tubes

Visual observations of two-phase regimes for R134a and R245fa flowing in 0.509 mm and 0.790 mm horizontal tubes are documented and compared to the predictions of the analytical flow regime models available in the literature. Annular flow was found to dominate the behavior of these two miniature channels, with a significant Slug flow regime at intermediate qualities. Despite the horizontal orientation of these tubes, there were no observations of Stratified flow and a very limited region of Bubble flow. A comparison of the more than 2200 flow regime observations to the predictions of the Taitel–Dukler flow regime methodology revealed that 67% of the empirically observed flow pattern data were correctly identified. The Ullmann–Brauner model, based on an air–water database, correctly predicted the appropriate flow regime for 81% of the reported data. Proposed modifications in the Bubble-to-Slug and Slug-to-Annular transition criteria, respectively, were shown to provide a modest further improvement in the overall predictability to 90% of the observed data for the two refrigerants studied.     

Simultaneous measurements of velocity and stress distributions in polyisobutylenes using laser-Doppler velocimetry and flow induced birefringence

An experimental device was set up for the synchronous measurement of velocities and stresses in polyisobutylenes using laser-Doppler velocimetry (LDV) and the two-colour flow-induced birefringence method (FIB). The materials investigated are three low molecular polyisobutylenes. Velocity (LDV) and stress (FIB) measurements are performed in the flow entrance region and inside a slit die with a contraction ratio of 1:10. The behaviour of the polyisobutylenes is Newtonian under the flow conditions applied. Therefore, the stresses inside the fluids can be calculated and compared to the stresses experimentally determined. A good agreement in shear and elongational flows was found between the calculated (LDV) and directly measured stresses (FIB). This result demonstrates the applicability of the experimental setup as an optical rheometer that can preferentially be used to measure elongational properties of low viscous fluids.

Characterization of powder flow properties from micron to nanoscale using FT4 powder rheometer and PT-X powder tester

The rapid development of nanotechnology has led to a need to further understand the physical characteristics of nanoparticles. In this paper, the flow characteristics of micro-nano alumina particles with different particle sizes were characterized. The FT4 powder rheometer and the PT-X powder tester were used to measure the compression, friction, and dynamic properties of powders. Powder compressibility increased significantly as the particle size decreased from 27 μm to 30 nm. Pressure distribution in the silo was measured and predicted by Janssen's theory, with errors mostly less than 10%. The basic flow energy and the specific energy of the three powders were 4983, 1734, and 244 mJ, and 6.80, 11.70, and 6.70 mJ/g, respectively, indicating that there was no linear relationship between the change in flowability and particle size. The dynamic properties of the powders change from particle-dominated to agglomeration-dominated as the particle size decreases. The conclusion is supported by the results of field emission scanning electron microscopy.     

Colour-coding schlieren techniques for the optical study of heat and fluid flow

This survey presents a unified view of the history, rationale, applications, and current status of colour-coding schlieren optical techniques, based on an extensive literature review. The characteristics and advantages of this unique flow visualization tool are discussed in terms of one- and two-dimensional colour-coding, qualitative and quantitative visualisations, and system sensitivity, range and resolution. In particular, the use of matched spatial filters to tailor the schlieren optics for specific applications is stressed. A wide range of past applications in fluid flow and heat transfer is surveyed. Connections are drawn among these applications and some new applications are discussed.     

Rheology of shear thickening suspensions and the effects of wall slip in torsional flow

The rheological characterisation of concentrated shear thickening materials suspensions is challenging, as complicated and occasionally discontinuous rheograms are produced. Wall slip is often apparent and when combined with a shear thickening fluid the usual means of calculating rim shear stress in torsional flow is inaccurate due to a more complex flow field. As the flow is no longer “controlled”, a rheological model must be assumed and the wall boundary conditions are redefined to allow for slip. A technique is described where, by examining the angular velocity response in very low torque experiments, it is possible to indirectly measure the wall slip velocity. The suspension is then tested at higher applied torques and different rheometer gaps. The results are integrated numerically to produce shear stress and shear rate values. This enables the measurement of true suspension bulk flow properties and wall slip velocity, with simple rheological models describing the observed complex rheograms.     

Ground-based measurements of aerosol optical properties and radiative forcing in North China

In order to gain an insight into the aerosol properties and their climatic effect over the continental source regions of China, it is of significance to carry out long-term ground-based measurements of aerosol optical properties and radiative forcing. A couple of temporary and permanent Aerosol Robotic Network （AERONET） sites and three comprehensive radiative sites were established in China as a result of international cooperation in recent years. Heavy aerosol loading and significant temporal and spatial variation over North China are revealed by the AERONET data. Aerosol-induced reductions in surface radiation budget are examined on the basis of collocated observations by sun photometers and pyranometers. 2007 Chinese Society of Particuology and Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V.     

Two dimensional flow quantitative visualization by the hybrid method of flow birefringence and boundary integration

Flow birefringent method and its data processing was reviewed and a new hybrid method of flow birefringence and boundary integration was introduced. The basic equations and boundary conditions suitable to the hybrid method were derived, and a comparison of the hybrid and other classical methods was given. Finally as an example, the flow in a step converging tube was analyzed by the given method. The project supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)     

Time-averaged flow characteristics and mixing properties of double-concentric jets

We examined the flow behaviors and mixing characteristics of double-concentric jets using laser-assisted smoke flow visualization method to analyze typical flow patterns and binary boundary detection technique to investigate jet spread width. Time-averaged velocity vectors, streamline patterns, velocity distributions, turbulence properties, and vorticity contours were analyzed using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Topological flow patterns were analyzed to interpret the vortical flow structures. Mixing properties were investigated using a tracer-gas concentration detection method. Four characteristic modes were observed: annular flow dominated mode, transition mode, central jet dominated mode-low shear, and central jet dominated mode-high shear. The jets’ mixing properties were enhanced by two major phenomena: the merging of annular flow and central jet at the centerline and the large turbulence fluctuations produced in the flow field. The merging of the jets induced stagnation points on the central axis in the annular flow dominated mode, which caused reverse flow on the central axis and drastic turbulence fluctuations of the near field region. When the central jet penetrated the recirculation region in the other three modes, the stagnation points on the central axis and the reverse flow vanished. Therefore, the mixing behaviors were prominently enhanced in the annular flow dominated mode.     

Influence of shear and orthogonal vibration on semisolid aluminum flow properties

Understanding flow properties and flow effects of liquid and semisolid aluminum became a key solution for know-how of the casting processes. It is essential to find and study a new solution of interactive and efficient structure control of processed aluminum suspension. This task was solved by an adaptation of an electromagnetic actuator and high-resolution tempering unit to a conventional rotational rheometer. Initially, the research reveals a precise detection of transition temperatures in steady and transient shear flow. It was found that superposition of mechanical vibration orthogonal to the shear flow radically decreases shear viscosity of semisolid slurry. However, liquid state rheological properties show structural behavior, but stayed insensitive to mechanical oscillations. Analysis of boundary conditions before fundamental experiment shows that no considerable side effects were present during the experiment under vibration. The study reveals transition of strongly shear-thinning concentrated aluminum suspension to almost Newtonian fluid under vibration in shear flow. It is recommended to relate such phenomenon to non-equilibrium between structure formation and structure break-up under vibration and hydrodynamic forces of shear flow. The results illustrate how sensitive the structure of slurry is to vibration in general and in particular during the solidification phase. The revealed results provide a solid basis for further fundamental investigations.     

Effect of transverse cracks on the mechanical properties of angle-ply composites laminates

A modified shear lag analysis, taking into account the notion of stress perturbation function, is employed to evaluate the effect of transverse cracks on the stiffness reduction in [±θ_n/90_m]_S angle-ply laminated composites. Effects of number of 90° layers and number of ±θ layers on the laminate stiffness have also been studied. The present results represent well the dependence of the degradation of mechanical properties on the fibre orientation angle of the outer layers, the number of cracked cross-ply layers and the number of uncracked outer ±θ layers in the laminate.     

Microstructure and viscoelasticity in thermotropic copolyesters: the influence of monomer concentration

This research investigates the influence of monomer composition on the thermal transitions, mi crostructure, and viscoelastic properties of thermotro pic liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) based on 1, 4-hydroxy-benzoic acid (B) and 2,6-hydroxy-naphthoic acid (N). Compositions B–N of 1:1, 1:3, 3:1, and 2:1 mol% were studied. The solid-to-nematic transition T _s→n was greatly influenced by the monomer composition, ranging from 230 to 280 °C. However, the decomposition temperature T _dec was independent of composition, all the materials degrading at T _dec = 509 °C. Polarized optical microscopy showed a threaded texture in the nematic phase. Fiber X-ray diffraction showed aperiodic meridional maxima for all LCPs, the number of maxima depended on composition. B–N 3:1 and 1:3 mol% favor the orthorhombic crystallographic phase whereas the 1:1 and 2:1 mol% crystallized in a pseudohexagonal phase. Dynamic time sweeps showed that the nematic phases are stable at the temperatures studied. Strain sweeps showed the existence of a linear viscoelastic (LVE) regime. The LVE properties ranged from predominantly viscous (G^′ < G^″) for the 1:1 mol% composition to predominantly elastic (G^′ > G^″) and with a well-defined rubber-like regime for the 1:3 mol% composition, resembling the rheology of flexible polymer melts. The persistence length q appears to be the parameter driving the rheological behavior.

The influence of mechanical strain on the optical properties of spherical gold nanoparticles

We utilize classical Mie scattering theory to investigate the effects of tensile and compressive mechanical strain on both the far field (absorption, scattering and extinction efficiencies) and near field (surface enhanced Raman scattering) optical properties of spherical gold nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 10 to 100 nm. By accounting for the strain effects on both the ionic core (bound) and conduction (free) electrons through appropriate modifications of the bulk dielectric functions, we find that gold nanoparticles are relatively sensitive to the effects of mechanical strain due to the fact that the plasmon resonance wavelength for spherical gold particles, which occurs around , is nearly coincident with the interband transitions of the core electrons. Specifically, we find that tensile strain leads to significant enhancements ranging from 60% to 120% in the far field optical efficiencies, while compressive strain leads to similar decreases, and that the plasmon resonance wavelength can be red or blueshifted up to 100 nm due to the applied strain. Finally, we find that tensile strain also strongly enhances the local electric (E)-field at the surface of the nanoparticles, which is of considerable interest for surface-enhanced Raman scattering applications; 5% tensile strain is found to enhance the |E|⁴ intensity by 63%. The present results demonstrate the potential of mechanical strain, and specifically that of tensile mechanical strain in enhancing and tailoring the optical properties of gold nanoparticles.     

Influence of elongational properties on the contraction flow of polyisobutylene in a mixed solvent

Over the last decade several international programmes have been developed around different standard fluids, one of which is the so-called S1 fluid. This is a solution of polyisobutylene in a mixed solvent and the aim of the programme has been to study the rheology of polymer solutions from the dilute solution to the melt. The focus of this paper will be on the flow visualisation of contraction flows of S1 through orifice dies and on the estimation of some of its extensional properties. The contraction ratios range from 24.4:1 and 124.3:1. The measured entry pressure drops will be correlated with contraction ratio and apparent wall shear rate. Experimental evidence will show that, when regarded as a function of wall shear rate, the entry pressure drops are independent of the contraction ratios. The flow fields for different contraction ratios, at any constant apparent wall shear rate, however, differ substantially. The evolution of the flow fields is monitored and it is shown that an initial increase in vortex size is followed by a slower decrease, this happening at a constant Weissenberg number. At the same Weissenberg number, small scale instabilities start occurring near the office. As the shear rate is increased further, these instabilities grow in size until, eventually, the flow structure is destroyed. An extensional viscosity is evaluated using a modified form of the Binding analysis for contraction flows and we show that the results are not only in qualitative agreement with those from other groups, but also that the analysis is able to predict exactly the onset of the aforementioned flow instabilities. Received: 20 March 1997 Accepted: 18 September 1997     

金属材料在复杂应力状态下的塑性流动特性及本构模型

工程应用中,金属材料和结构往往处于复杂应力状态。材料的塑性行为会受到应力状态的影响,要精确描述材料在复杂应力状态下的塑性流动行为,必须在本构模型中考虑应力状态效应的影响。然而,由于在动态加载下材料的应变率效应和应力状态效应相互耦合、难以分离,给应力状态效应的研究和模型的建立造成很大困难。通过对Ti-6Al-4V钛合金材料开展不同加载条件下的力学性能测试,提出了一个包含应力三轴度和罗德角参数影响的新型本构模型,并通过VUMAT用户子程序嵌入ABAQUS/Explicit软件。分别采用新提出的塑性模型和Johnson-Cook模型对压剪复合试样的动态实验进行了数值模拟。结果表明,新模型不仅在对材料本构曲线的拟合方面具有较强的优势,而且由该模型所得到的透射脉冲和载荷-位移曲线均更加准确。因此,该模型能够更精确地描述和预测金属材料在复杂应力状态下的塑性流变行为。

     

Stress-induced transformation behavior of a polycrystalline NiTi shape memory alloy: micro and macromechanical investigations via in situ optical microscopy

An experimental investigation of the micro and macromechanical transformation behavior of polycrystalline NiTi shape memory alloys was undertaken. Special attention was paid to macroscopic banding, variant microstructure, effects of cyclic loading, strain rate and temperature effects. Use of an interference filter on the microscope enabled observation of grain boundaries and martensitic plate formation and growth without recourse to etching or other chemical surface preparation. Key results of the experiments on the NiTi include observation of localized plastic deformation after only a few cycles, excellent temperature and stress relaxation correlation, a refined definition of “full transformation” for polycrystalline materials, and strain rate dependent effects. Several of these findings have critical implications for understanding and modeling of shape memory alloy behavior.