We analyzed bubble
rupture and hole opening dynamics
in a non-Newtonian
fluid by investigating the retraction process of thin films after
inflation at different blowing rates. The experiments were modeled
through a dimensional analysis, with the aim of establishing a general
approach on the bubble rupture dynamics and discerning the role of
viscous, elastic, surface, and inertial forces on the opening velocity,
according to the nature of the specific fluid. A new mathematical
model, which includes all possible contributions to the hole opening
dynamics, was proposed, to the best of our knowledge for the first
time. The experimental evidence on the opening velocity as a function
of the inflation rate was found to be in good agreement with the prediction
of the model. The sensitivity of our modeling was tested by comparing
our results with the existing models of retracting velocity.