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Extensional rheology of dilute polymer solutions in oscillatory cross-slot flow: the transient behaviour of birefringent strands

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Abstract

Birefringent strands are key to understanding polymeric non-Newtonian flows, especially in extension. Utilising microfluidic extensional flow oscillatory rheometry coupled with microvelocimetry (μ-PIV), we report experiments on the genesis, steady state and decay of such strands, together with rheological consequences. For closely monodisperse atactic polystyrene, we report massive effects of the polymer on flow even at low concentrations. The often observed startup “overshoot” in stress and birefringence is observed at unprecedented dilution and discussed in terms of the local strain rate. Strand decay shows pronounced hysteresis. These factors are most important in modelling real flows such as cyclic and capillary entrance flows. Even with the closely monodisperse and well-characterised samples used, residual polydispersity plays a vital role in flow behaviour.

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Acknowledgement

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) of the U.K.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. HH Wills Physics Department, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK

    Simon J. Haward & Jeffrey A. Odell

  2. Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre and School, of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK

    Zhuo Li & Xue-Feng Yuan

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  1. Simon J. Haward
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  2. Jeffrey A. Odell
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  3. Zhuo Li
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  4. Xue-Feng Yuan
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Correspondence to Simon J. Haward.

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Haward, S.J., Odell, J.A., Li, Z. et al. Extensional rheology of dilute polymer solutions in oscillatory cross-slot flow: the transient behaviour of birefringent strands. Rheol Acta 49, 633–645 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-009-0420-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-009-0420-6

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