Work

Shear-Rate Dependent Surface Tension of Glass-Forming Fluids

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate the interface of a glass-forming fluid showing non-Newtonian rheology. By applying shear flow in the interface, we observe that the surface tension depends on the shear rate. Importantly, the standard way of determining surface tension from the pressure anisotropy caused by the interface can give rise to an effective surface tension in the non-Newtonian fluid that mixes bulk and interface properties. We show how the pressure anisotropy can be used to clearly define the bulk and interface regions and extract a genuine shear-rate dependent surface tension. The results have implications for measurement techniques related to the interfacial rheology of complex fluids.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/wqzf-kk36

Authors: Linnea Heitmeier, Thomas Voigtmann

Institutions: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

Language: English

Topic: Rheology and Fluid Dynamics Studies

Subfield: Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

Field: Chemical Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,750

Funders: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Center for High Performance Computing