The Problem of Filling a Spherical Cavity in an Aqueous Solution of Polymers

Polymers (Basel). 2022 Oct 11;14(20):4259. doi: 10.3390/polym14204259.

Abstract

The problem of filling a spherical cavity in a liquid has attracted the attention of many authors. The study of bubble behavior in liquid allows to estimate the consequences of cavitation processes, which can lead to the intensive destruction of the material surface. Regarding this connection, it becomes necessary to study the influence of impurities, including polymeric additives on the strengthening or suppression of cavitation. In this paper, this problem is considered in three models of a relaxing fluid. It is shown that for all models, the cavity filling time is finite if the surface tension is not equal to zero. This result was previously established for the cases of ideal and viscous fluids. However, the relaxation factor can significantly change the flow pattern by slowing down the filling process and lowering the level of energy accumulation during the bubble collapse.

Keywords: bubble cavity; dilute polymer solution; relaxation viscosity; second-grade fluid.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.