Effect of finite contact angle on the structure and shear behavior of two-dimensional wet foam

Abstract

We present simulations of a 2D liquid foam with finite contact angles, over a wide range of liquid fraction. It is shown that, with the increase of liquid fraction, the variation of average coordination number may be characterized by three different regimes (the “flat” regime, the approximate linear regime and the gentle decreasing regime). The detailed distribution of the coordination number is displayed; the fraction of bubbles with the same number of neighbours, as a function of the average coordination number, follows the Gaussian distribution. In addition, we present the variation of the length of the gas-liquid-gas interfaces (films) with the liquid fraction, as well as the distribution of the Plateau border sides. Furthermore, in response to shear, the stress level of the wet foam rises with the increase of contact angle. We find a linear relationship between the yield stress and the cosine of the contact angle.