Phase-Field Modeling of the Rearrangement Process of Foam Structures Considering Pressure Effects

Abstract

Foam structures have been attracting many scientists for a long time. However, the physics behind these structures is very complicated, and complete modeling has not yet been achieved. In this paper, a phase-field modeling of the rearrangement process of foam structures was proposed, and simulations were conducted to show its effectiveness. Adjacent foam cells were assumed to interact with each other through the pressure difference, and four different conditions were introduced. When the cells had identical inner pressures at the initial state, they were stabilized, keeping the initial volume. In contrast, a volumetric change occurred when the amount of the substance in the initial cells was provided. Other models to regenerate small-cell distribution were also proposed, and the foam structures observed in real liquid foam were successfully reproduced.