The dynamic behavior of a concentrated non-brownian glass fiber suspension in simple shear flow

The dynamic behavior of a concentrated short glass fiber suspension subject to simple shear flow is investigated. In particular we are interested in determining the relationship between the stress growth functions (shear and first normal stress difference) and the fiber microstructure within the sample. Stress growth experiments, in start up of flow, are per-formed on a Rheometrics Mechanical Spectrometer (RMS-800) using a novel approach which deforms the sample in a homogeneous shear field. The 3D fiber orientation is characterized using confocal laser microscopy and experimental results are compared to predictions based on the generalized Jeffery equation. It is found that the theory over predicts the rate at which the fiber orientation evolves.