Agglomerates deformation

B/ Fragmentation rate g/s Ib/s (AL/Ll Critical agglomerate deformation strain ... 

A Apparent area of indentor contact cm in K Agglomerate deformability ... 

The ability of an agglomerate to retain porosity in a mixer is controlled by its deformability. Hence, there is an inverse relationship between the agglomerate deformability and density. 

The dimension and shape of ingredient particles, their tendency of agglomeration, deformation of structures, dispersion capacity, and chemical nature of the external surface are characteristics that decisively influence the ultimate properties of reinforced rubber. 

Agglomerates that are poorly wetted by the polymer contain air in their voids and have a lower apparent volumetric content of solids compared to well-wetted particles, the reason being that in the first case the entire matrix can take part in the deformation process, whereas in case of good wetting conditions a portion of the matrix is caught in the agglomerate and does not become involved in deformation. 

The ratio of deforming viscous forces to resisting interfacial tension forces in the case of droplets is the capillary number, Ca. Similarly, the ratio of viscous to cohesive forces in agglomerates is the fragmentation number, Fa. 

Rumscheidt, F. D., and Mason, S. G., Particle motions in sheared suspensions. XII. Deformation and burst of fluid drops in shear and hyperbolic flow. J. ColloidScL 16,238-261 (1961). Rwei, S. P., Manas-Zloczower, I., and Feke, D. L., Observation of carbon black agglomerate dispersion in simple shear flows. Polym. Eng. ScL 30, 701-706 (1990). 

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