To understand the various mechanisms of fiber deformation of flexible fiber suspensions, we carry out a direct simulation study to analyze the effect of fiber rigidity on fiber motion in simple shear flow. Such a study may be used to investigate the critical parameters controlling the breakage of flexible fibers during processing. We model the fiber as a series of rigid spheres connected by stiff springs. The stretching, bending, and torsional rigidities are determined by Young's modulus and shear modulus to realistically model the fiber rigidity. The model correctly predicts the orbit period of fiber rotation, T ̇γ, as well as the trend of critical flow strength, η ̇γ/E, versus fiber aspect ratio, r(p), at which breakage occurs in simple shear flow.
© 2012 American Institute of Physics