Compression and deformation of soft spherical particles

In order to model geometric property variation and investigate different compression behaviors between compressible (variable volume) and incompressible (invariable volume) soft spherical particles, two compression models based on different shapes of the lateral surface (non-contacted surface of the particle) of the compressed particles are proposed. The shape profiles in various compression degrees calculated by the models showed good agreement with the experimental data. The models can be also used to estimate the surface area and volume of the soft particles. Additionally, according to particle shape profiles, the particle structures, porous or dense, show great influences on the compression behavior for both compressible and incompressible soft particles, where the dense incompressible particle performs a higher degree of lateral extension during compression. This is because its volume can be transferred more completely from the compressed portion to the lateral surface, which is without loading contact on it. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.