The Interaction and Deformation of Viscoelastic Particles. I. Non-adhesive Particles

Phil Attard

Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes SA 5095 Australia.

Phys. Rev. E 63, 061604 (2001).

Abstract
A viscoelastic theory is formulated for the deformation of particles that interact with finite-ranged surface forces. The theory generalises the static approach based upon classic continuum elasticity theory to account for time-dependent effects, and goes beyond contact theories such as Hertz and JKR by including realistic surface interactions. Common devices used to measure load and deformation are modelled and the theory takes into account the driving velocity of the apparatus and the relaxation time of the material. Non-adhesive particles are modelled by an electric double layer repulsion. Triangular, step, and sinusoidal trajectories are analysed in a unified treatment of loading and unloading. The load-deformation and the load-contact area curves are shown to be velocity-dependent and hysteretic.

Back to publications or to Phil Attard's home page.