Holes and cracks in rigid foam films

TL;DR

This study investigates rupture dynamics of rigid foam films with high surface rigidity, revealing deviations from classical laws and the formation of crack patterns, emphasizing the role of surface elasticity in these processes.

Contribution

It introduces the impact of surface elasticity on foam film rupture, highlighting crack formation and deviations from classical rupture laws under high surface rigidity conditions.

Findings

Deviation from Taylor-Culick law observed

Crack-like patterns appear at specific deformations

Surface elasticity significantly influences rupture dynamics

Abstract

The classical problem of foam film rupture dynamics has been investigated when surfaces exhibit very high rigidity due to the presence of specific surfactants. Two new features are reported. First a strong deviation to the well-known Taylor-Culick law is observed. Then, crack-like patterns can be visualized in the film; these patterns are shown to appear at a well defined deformation. The key role of surface active material on these features is quantitatively investigated, pointing the importance of surface elasticity to describe these fast dynamical processes, and thus providing an alternative tool to characterize surface elasticity in conditions extremely far from equilibrium. The origin of the cracks and their consequences on film rupturing dynamics are also discussed.