Nonlinear adjustment of a thin annular film of viscous fluid surrounding a thread of another within a circular cylindrical pipe

A nonlinear analysis, based on lubrication theory, is presented for the adjustment under surface tension of an initially uniform annular film of viscous fluid confined within a circular cylindrical pipe. The film surrounds a thread of another viscous fluid. Small axisymmetric interfacial disturbances of sufficiently long wavelength are found to grow, leading to the break-up of the initially continuous outer film into a number of isolated rings of fixed length on the pipe wall. The implications for the rupture of fluid threads surrounded by moderately thin films in confined geometries are discussed.