Some capillary flows of viscoelastic fluids

J Snoeijer

University of Twente, Netherlands

Abstract

We explore how free surface flows, driven by surface tension, are affected by strong elastic effects. We start by the classical problem of drop breakup for an Oldroyd-B fluid, and present new results that are obtained through the correspondence to elasticity theory. Subsequently we discuss drop coalescence, which is studied experimentally using solutions of PEO. It is observed that the strong polymer stretching at the start of coalescence affects its dynamics, leading to a viscoelastic self-similar regime. Finally, if time permits, we present a new thin film equation for weakly viscoelastic flows, and discuss its application to the Landau-Levich problem.

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