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The classical Doi–Edwards theory for the steady-statestressof entangled linear polymers in uniaxial elongational flow is hereextended to entangled branched polymers, specifically to stars andpompoms, both symmetric and asymmetric. The arm withdrawal idea advancedlong ago by McLeish and Larson is also fully exploited. Non-Gaussiancorrections are considered. Aside from quantitative details, the theoryfor branched polymers predicts that they behave similarly to linearones in the steady state (as opposed to the startup stage) of fastelongational flows. The theoretical predictions are then successfullycompared, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to data collectedby Hassager and co-workers on polystyrene (PS) melts of a pompom andof an asymmetric star. These are, to the authors’ knowledge,the only published data for branched polymers of known architecturethat, during startup of the elongational flow, extend in time longenough to allow determination of steady-state values of the elongationalstress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on shear startup data for two wormlike micellar solutions, differing only in concentration and type of two binding aromatic sodium salts. The surfactant molecule is cetylpiridinium chloride at a fixed concentration (100 mM). Sodium salicylate (NaSal) and diclofenac sodium (Diclo) are used as binding salts at concentrations 68 mM NaSal and 52 mM Diclo such that both systems are fully entangled and their linear viscoelastic response is essentially identical. Both systems show the linear response typical of a wormlike micellar solution, with terminal behavior at low frequencies, a well-defined moduli crossover, and a plateau modulus. In the nonlinear regime, however, the behavior of the two systems is totally different, suggesting that the molecular structure difference of the salts and their binding activity to the surfactant molecule are both crucial to determine the fast flow behavior. The NaSal solution shows a very complex rheological response, with strain hardening and very sharp stress peaks, whereas the solution containing Diclo behaves much like ordinary linear polymers, exhibiting pronounced overshoots as well as moderate undershoots in the transient shear viscosity, before approaching the steady state. This polymerlike behavior has also been proved by successfully comparing data with predictions of a constitutive equation recently adopted for both entangled polymers and linear wormlike micelles. As far as NaSal is concerned, a phenomenological model based on rubber network theory is developed, which describes the flow singularities. A physical interpretation of the different behavior in the nonlinear regime is also suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the linear rheology of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) solutions with the aim of determining the molecular weight distribution of the polymer. The UHMWPE is dissolved in oligo-ethylene in order to avoid issues related to unfavorable interactions with the solvent. To prepare the solutions, UHMWPE, solvent, and a fixed amount of antioxidants are mixed by means of a corotating twin-screw microcompounder. All prepared solutions are within the concentrated regime, as confirmed by the scaling laws of the main rheological parameters (plateau modulus, relaxation time, and zero-shear viscosity) with concentration. Based on the viscoelastic response of the solutions, we adopt a heuristic approach to extrapolate the linear viscoelastic behavior of the melt, according to a time-concentration superposition principle. Such a technique allows us to span many decades of angular frequency, eventually attaining the terminal relaxation regime. The latter is difficult to achieve by direct measurements in the molten state because of experimental issues such as extremely long experimental times and thermal limits. The viscoelastic spectrum of the melt is used to obtain the molecular weight distribution (MWD) according to the time-dependent diffusion/double reptation model. The MWD of UHMWPE evaluated by using this approach agrees well with data obtained from gel permeation chromatography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primitive chain network (PCN) model successfully employed to simulate the rheology of entangled polymers is here tested versus less coarse-grained (lattice or atomistic) models for what concerns the structure of the network at equilibrium (i.e., in the absence of flow). By network structure, we mean the distributions of some relevant quantities such as subchain length in space or in monomer number. Indeed, lattice and atomistic simulations are obviously more accurate, but are also more difficult to use in nonequilibrium flow situations, especially for long entangled polymers. Conversely, the coarse-grained PCN model that deals more easily with rheology lacks, strictly speaking, a rigorous foundation. It is therefore important to verify whether or not the equilibrium structure of the network predicted by the PCN model is consistent with the results recently obtained by using lattice and atomistic simulations. In this work, we focus on single chain properties of the entangled network. Considering the significant differences in modeling the polymer molecules, the results here obtained appear encouraging, thus providing a more solid foundation to Brownian simulations based on the PCN model. Comparison with the existing theories also proves favorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular theories for polymer rheology are based on conformational dynamics of the polymeric chain. Hence, measurements directly related to molecular conformations appear more appealing than indirect ones obtained from rheology. In this study, primitive chain network simulations are compared to experimental data of entangled DNA solutions [Teixeira et al., Macromolecules 40, 2461 (2007)]. In addition to rheological comparisons of both linear and nonlinear viscoelasticities, a molecular extension measure obtained by Teixeira et al. through fluorescent microscopy is compared to simulations, in terms of both averages and distributions. The influence of flow on conformational distributions has never been simulated for the case of entangled polymers, and how DNA molecular individualism extends to the entangled regime is not known. The linear viscoelastic response and the viscosity growth curve in the nonlinear regime are found in good agreement with data for various DNA concentrations. Conversely, the molecular extension measure shows significant departures, even under equilibrium conditions. The reason for such discrepancies remains unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation results of the primitive chain network (PCN) model for entangled polymers are compared here to existing data of diffusion coefficient, linear and nonlinear shear and elongational rheology of monodisperse polystyrene melts. Since the plateau modulus of polystyrene is well known from the literature, the quantitative comparison between the whole set of data and simulations only requires a single adjustable parameter, namely, a basic time. The latter, however, must be consistent with the known rheology of unentangled polystyrene melts, i.e., with Rouse behavior, and is therefore not really an adjustable parameter. The PCN model adopted here is a refined version of the original model, incorporating among other things a more accurate description of chain end dynamics as well as finite extensibility effects. In the new version, we find good agreement with linear rheology, virtually without adjustable parameters. It is also shown that, at equilibrium, Gaussian statistics are well obeyed in the simulated network. In the nonlinear range, excellent agreement with data is found in shear, whereas discrepancies and possible inadequacies of the model emerge in fast uniaxial elongational flows, even when accounting for finite extensibility of the network strands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We provide unambiguous evidence of the existence (or not) of undershoot in startup shear of entangled polymers and their blends. • Blending is shown to affect the undershoot by broadening the tumbling-time distribution. • We identify regimes (relaxation time vs composition) where the undershoot is present. We revisit the transient response of entangled polymers in shear startup. Evidence from state-of-the-art experiments, modeling and simulations suggests the presence in fast flows of a weak (albeit unambiguous) undershoot, following the overshoot, i.e. , while approaching the steady state. Recent sliplink simulations confirmed that the undershoot is not due to slip at the wall, and hence it is intrinsic to polymer rheology. Here, we further examine some features of the undershoot by blending two entangled homopolymers at different compositions. Since blending affects the distribution of relaxation times, it is here shown to also affect the undershoot, probably by broadening the tumbling-time distribution. Indeed, by appropriately modifying our tube-based model, that invokes tumbling to account for the undershoot, and (in parallel) by using simulations, we show how the undershoot depends on the blend composition. We map the experimental results into a diagram of terminal relaxation time versus composition, which identifies regimes where the undershoot is present. Blending is therefore proposed as a molecular mechanism to tailor the shear stress growth function signal, particularly the undershoot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]