Homogenization approach to the behavior of suspensions of noncolloidal particles in yield stress fluids

Xavier Chateau (1) , Guillaume Ovarlez (1) , Kien Luu Trung (2)

1 Rhéophysique
2 navier umr 8205 - Laboratoire Navier

The behavior of suspensions of rigid particles in a non-Newtonian fluid is studied in the framework of a nonlinear homogenization method. Estimates for the overall properties of the composite material are obtained. In the case of a Herschel-Bulkley suspending fluid, it is shown that the properties of a suspension with overall isotropy can be satisfactory modeled as that of a Herschel-Bulkley fluid with an exponent equal to that of the suspending fluid. Estimates for the yield stress and the consistency at large strain rate levels are proposed. These estimates compare well to both experimental data obtained by Mahaut et al [J. Rheol. 52, 287-313 (2008)] and to experimental data found in the literature.

Mots clés: suspension; yield stress; elastic modulus; homogenization

Domaines: Matière Molle [cond-mat.soft]; Mécanique des fluides [physics.class-ph]; Mécanique des fluides [physics.class-ph]

Xavier Chateau, Guillaume Ovarlez, Kien Luu Trung. Homogenization approach to the behavior of suspensions of noncolloidal particles in yield stress fluids. Journal of Rheology, 2008, 52 (2), pp.489-506. ⟨10.1122/1.2838254⟩. ⟨hal-00490785⟩