Effect of particle shape on the density and microstructure of random packings
Date
2007
Authors
Wouterse, Alan
Williams, Stephen
Philipse, A P
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute of Physics Publishing
Abstract
We study the random packing of non-spherical particles by computer simulation to investigate the effect of particle shape and aspect ratio on packing density and microstructure. Packings of cut spheres (a spherical segment which is symmetric about the centre of the sphere) are simulated to assess the influence of a planar face on packing properties. It turns out that cut spheres, in common with spherocylinders and spheroids, pack more efficiently as the particle's aspect ratio is perturbed slightly from unity (the aspect ratio of a sphere) to reach a maximum density at an aspect ratio of approximately 1.25. Upon increasing the aspect ratio further the cut spheres pack less efficiently, until approximately an aspect ratio of 2, where the particles are found to form a columnar phase. The amount of ordering is sensitive to simulation parameters and for very thin disks the formation of long columns becomes frustrated, resulting in a nematic phase, in marked contrast to the behavior of long thin rods which always randomly pack into entangled isotropic networks. With respect to coordination numbers it appears that cut spheres always pack with significantly fewer contacts than required for isostatic packing.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: Aspect ratio; Computer simulation; Nematic liquid crystals; Perturbation techniques; Random processes; Spheres; Columnar phase; Cut spheres; Nematic phase; Packing density; Packing properties; Particle shape; Random packings; Spherocylinders; Spheroids; M
Citation
Collections
Source
Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter
Type
Journal article
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
License Rights
Restricted until
2037-12-31
Downloads
File
Description