Elastohydrodynamic Collision and Bouncing of Spherical Particles

Abstract

The conditions which govern the bouncing of spherical particles subsequent to a collision in a viscous fluid are discussed. The effect of the elastic deformation of the solid surfaces as well as the molecular nature of the fluid and the surface roughness are considered. The experiments support the recent theories based on hydrodynamic lubrication which require significant elastic deformation to occur during collisions between smooth spherical surfaces in order for a rebound to occur. This fundamental work finds applications in inertial filtration, lubrication, sedimentation, and erosion.