Phenomenological modeling of the response of a dense colloidal suspension under dynamic squeezing flow

Abstract: The split Hopkinson pressure bar experimental technique is used to evaluate the squeezing flow response of a concentrated, discontinuously thickening colloidal suspension of spherical silica particles loaded at high stresses/strain rates. These results provide insight into the transitional behavior of these materials, as well as the post-transitional response under compressive loading. A method of analyzing the strain and strain rate dependent behavior is presented to identify modes of material response (viscous, elastic, etc.). Experimental results are presented as stress–strain–strain rate plots and a surface fitting approach is used to develop a phenomenological model describing the overall response. From this model, it is possible to identify regions of elastic and viscous behavior using a gradient analysis approach. It was found that, after an initial period of viscous deformation, the suspension behaves like a viscoelastic material – this regime corresponds well with transition in which large clusters of particles percolate. This is followed by a third, viscous regime in which the material undergoes viscous deformation. At the highest stresses, a plateau region of plastic deformation has been identified. This approach and the conditions under which it may be applied are described in detail in the paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]