Cavitation-induced force transition in confined viscous liquids under traction

TL;DR

This study investigates cavitation phenomena in highly confined viscous liquids under traction, revealing force transitions and cavitation effects that resemble complex adhesive film behaviors, even in simple viscous fluids.

Contribution

It demonstrates that cavitation causes force transitions in confined viscous liquids under traction, a behavior previously associated with more complex materials.

Findings

Cavitation explains force plateau and drop during high-rate separation

Force response transitions from simple flow to cavitation-induced behavior

Pure viscous fluids exhibit complex cavitation-driven force dynamics

Abstract

We perform traction experiments on simple liquids highly confined between parallel plates. At small separation rates, we observe a simple response corresponding to a convergent Poiseuille flow. Dramatic changes in the force response occur at high separation rates, with the appearance of a force plateau followed by an abrupt drop. By direct observation in the course of the experiment, we show that cavitation accounts for these features which are reminiscent of the utmost complex behavior of adhesive films under traction. Surprisingly enough, this is observed here in purely viscous fluids.