Hydrodynamic stability of thin films

The nonlinear stability of thin films to finite amplitude disturbances is investigated. The dynamics of the thin film are formulated using the Navier-Stokes equations augmented by body forces describing London/van der Waals attractions and double-layer repulsion forces. The resulting nonlinear evolution equation is examined for the film thickness. An asymptotic limit of vanishing capillary number is used to obtain a "large surface tension" approximation to the evolution equation. The simplified evolution equation (neglecting double-layer forces) is then solved numerically. The nonlinear evolution on the time to rupture and on the spatial structure of the developing layer is determined.