Stability of a bi-layer free film: simultaneous or individual rupture events?

Stewart, P. S. , Feng, J., Kimpton, L. S., Griffiths, I. M. and Stone, H. A. (2015) Stability of a bi-layer free film: simultaneous or individual rupture events? Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 777, pp. 27-49. (doi: 10.1017/jfm.2015.346)

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Abstract

We consider the stability of a long free film of liquid composed of two immiscible layers of differing viscosities, where each layer experiences a van der Waals force between its interfaces. We analyse the different ways the system can exhibit interfacial instability when the liquid layers are sufficiently thin. For an excess of surfactant on one gas–liquid interface the coupling between the layers is relatively weak and the instability manifests as temporally separated rupture events in each layer. Conversely, in the absence of surfactant the coupling between the layers is much stronger and the instability manifests as rupture of both layers simultaneously. These features are consistent with recent experimental observations.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Stewart, Professor Peter
Authors: Stewart, P. S., Feng, J., Kimpton, L. S., Griffiths, I. M., and Stone, H. A.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Mathematics
Journal Name:Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Journal Abbr.:J. Fluid Mech.
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:0022-1120
ISSN (Online):1469-7645
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 Cambridge University Press
First Published:First published in Journal of Fluid Mechanics 777:27-49
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher policy

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