Random close packing and relative viscosity of multimodal suspensions

Multimodal suspensions, consisting of non-colloidal spherical particles and a Newtonian matrix, are considered. A new differential (or multi-scale mean field approach) model for the relative viscosity of multimodal suspensions has been developed. The problem of the random close packing fraction of the solid phase is also investigated. We suppose that the multimodal suspension has a dominant large particle composition and that the smaller particles are embedded in the empty space between the larger particles. The relative viscosity model can therefore be based on the theory of monomodal suspensions. Experimental data of Eveson are compared to the predictions given by using three different models of monomodal suspensions respectively. The Maron–Pierce approach appears to give the best agreement with Eveson’s experiments. However, due to experimental uncertainties, we recommend that the Mendoza and Santamaria-Holek (MSH) formula be adopted.