Rupture of Thin Power-Law Liquid Film on a Cylinder

Abstract

The dynamic rupture process of a thin power-law type non-Newtonian liquid film on a cylinder has been analyzed by investigating the stability to finite amplitude disturbances. The dynamics of the liquid film is formulated using the balance equations including a body force term due to van der Waals attractions. The governing equation for the film thickness was solved by finite difference method as part of an initial value problem for spatial periodic boundary conditions. A decrease in the cylinder radius will induce a stronger lateral capillary force and thus will accelerate the rupture process. The influence of the power-law exponent on rupture is discussed.