The rational mechanics and thermodynamics of polymeric fluids based upon the concept of a variable relaxed state

The conceptual framework of polymer continuum mechanics based upon Eckart's idea of a variable relaxed state is developed. No constitutive models are explicitly used. The theory admits four constitutive functions only, the scalar specific internal energy, the vectorial heat flux, and two tensorial fluxes representing non-elastic stress and flow (slippage). The non-linearity of the constitutive relations includes self-induced anisotropy (Leonov) with Reiner-Rivlin's equation representing a special example for this. — The effectiveness of this non-linear theory is demonstrated by treating elongational flows of polymer melts.