Shear-induced fractures and three-dimensional motions in an organogel

TL;DR

This study investigates the complex flow behavior of a viscoelastic organogel, revealing shear-induced fracturing and 3D motions through ultrasonic velocimetry and rheometry, highlighting unique flow characteristics in soft materials.

Contribution

It demonstrates the presence of shear-induced fractures and three-dimensional motions in an organogel, linking these phenomena to decreasing flow curves observed both globally and locally.

Findings

Decreasing flow curve observed in the organogel.

Local velocity profiles show fracturing and 3D motions.

Shear-induced fracturing linked to flow behavior.

Abstract

The flow behavior of a viscoelastic organogel is investigated using ultrasonic velocimetry combined with rheometry. Our gel presents a decreasing flow curve, i.e., the measured stress decreases as a function of the applied shear rate. Strikingly, we note that the local flow curve calculated from the velocity profiles also exhibits a decreasing part. We attribute this regime to the presence of a fracturing process and three-dimensional motions in the bulk of the sample.