A new method to predict the maximum packing fraction and the viscosity of solutions with a size distribution of suspended particles. II

Abstract

AbstractA new analysis technique has been developed in this paper to evaluate the upper limit of the packing fraction, φn utilized in the prediction of suspension viscosities. The semiempirical equation developed for the upper limit of the packing fraction, φn was generated initially from McGeary's binary particle packing fraction data. All possible Dx/Dy ratios of particles size averages were evaluated and analyzed in this formulation development. Only the D5/D1 and D4/D2 ratios of particle diameter averages were found to accurately predict the proper particle volume fraction location obtained in McGeary's data for the correct upper limit packing fraction φn. After developing methodology to calculate φn for binary particle distributions, an extension was made to include distributions with any number n of different particle size diameters. One of the more general of the suspended particle viscosity equations, as developed in a previous paper by this author, was used to demonstrate the application of this new φn methodology to the evaluation of suspension viscosity properties. The blended binary suspension viscosity results of Johnson and Kelsey for near monodisperse latexes were shown to be satisfactorily predicted as a function of the binary volume composition. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.