Modified Bautista–Manero (MBM) modelling for hyperbolic contraction–expansion flows

In this study, modelling of network-structured material flow is considered through a rounded-corner, hyperbolic 4:1:4 contraction-expansion geometry, under axisymmetric configuration. Three representative constitutive models are adopted to represent networked behaviour and to investigate the flow of wormlike micellar fluids in this context. This includes the MBM model (for base thixotropic properties), some newly proposed micellar models (NM_τp & NM_T; for advanced thixotropic modelling), and the EPPT model (for contrast against non-thixotropic properties). In this configuration, emphasis is placed upon interpretation of flow behaviour for these constitutive models, against their response in simple rheometrical flows. To best determine the factors that contribute to epd-prediction, current findings have also been contrasted against those reported earlier in Lopez-Aguilar et al. [1], for the counterpart abrupt rounded-corner, axisymmetric 4:1:4 contraction-expansion flow