MODE-COUPLING THEORY FOR THE PASTY RHEOLOGY OF SOFT GLASSY MATERIALS

We introduce a simple mode-coupling model for concentrated suspensions under flow. This model exhibits a jamming transition and stress vs sh ear rate relations which are very similar to experimental results. Nam ely, a Newtonian regime or yield stress are followed by a slow variati on of the stress for higher sheer rates, and by an apparent Newtonian regime for very large shear rates. Another striking result is that und er oscillating strain, even in the jammed state, the system exhibits a relaxation time which depends on the strain amplitude.