Publication Date:
2002-05-25
Description:
The surface-tension-driven motion of a surfactant-coated liquid thread in inviscid surrounding is investigated using linear stability theory as well as one-dimensional nonlinear approximations to the governing Navier-Stokes equations. Examination of analytic limits of the linear dispersion relationship demonstrates that surfactant acts as a distinct mechanism for long-wavelength cut-off, instead of inertia, if the surfactant effects exceed a critical value, β = 1/2, where β is a dimensionless surface-tension gradient. Two different long-wavelength regimes can be identified, depending on the degree of tangential stress, with β = 1 characterizing a transition from extensionally dominated inertial flow to shear-dominated viscous flow. One-dimensional nonlinear models are formulated which capture the changes in behaviour with variation of β by inclusion of the necessary high order terms. Scaling close to breakup shows that surfactant is swept away from the pinching region and then has little effect.
Print ISSN:
0022-1120
Electronic ISSN:
1469-7645
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
,
Physics
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