STABILITY OF THIN VISCOELASTIC FILMS BETWEEN PERMEABLE MEMBRANES

Differential equations which describe the dynamics of thin viscoelastic films, behaving as Maxwell or Kelvin bodies between permeable and deformable membranes are derived. General dispersion equations for planar, thin viscoelastic films between membranes are developed. The effects due to the membrane tension, bending elasticity and permeability, as well as those of the disjoining pressure and the viscoelasticity of the films on the conditions for film rupture, and on the film breaking time are considered. The film stability may be a determinant of the kinetics of membrane fusion. The theoretical estimates are in qualitative agreement with available experimental data.