Abstract:
In order to investigate the fluid flow behavior in the oral environment, numerical methods and rheological tests were used to investigate the influencing factors of fluid flow under the micro-gap between the tongue and the upper palate. A simplified model of the tongue and the upper palate under the micro-gap and the Reynolds equation were established. The flow value under the micro-gap was obtained by mean of numerical method. The viscosity and shear rate of the non-Newtonian fluid were investigated using the DHR-2 rheometer. The effect factors on the flow were discussed by Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. The results show that the reciprocal of the square of Newtonian fluid flow functioned as a linear relation with the ratio of load to viscosity and time. The prepared non-Newtonian fluid was approximately power-law fluid, and its viscosity increased with the increasing fat content. The varied rate of non-Newtonian fluid flow underwent a firstly higher then lower than that equivalent Newtonian fluid. The research results can provide technical support for the development of specific populations’ functional products.