Rheology of Non-Newtonian Fluids Containing Glass Fibers: A Review of Experimental Literature

The objective of this review is to elucidate the rheological behavior of glass fiber suspensions whose suspending mediums are non-Newtonian fluids. In particular, this review focuses on determining the impact of fiber concentration, aspect ratio, orientation distribution, interaction with the suspending medium, and suspending medium viscoelasticity on the rheology of glass fiber composite fluids. The presence of glass fiber can induce a yieldlike behavior, causing shear thinning to occur at reduced shear rates. Glass fiber can impede the elastic properties of the suspending medium but enhance the first normal stress function. Large stress overshoots in both the shear and normal stress growth functions are observed that are associated with changes in fiber orientation. Upon cessation of flow, stress relaxation follows that of the suspending medium but fibers retain their orientation. The presence of glass fiber can induce extension rate thinning and suppress the strain thickening behavior of the suspending medium.