Behaviour of a simple crystallisation model in tube and channel flow

A formulation describing the rheology of crystallising polymers is discussed. For some semi-crystalline polymers where spherulites form as part of the crystallisation process, the use of a suspension-type model is appropriate. Whilst it is possible to so describe simple shearing and elongational rheology during on-going crystallisation with such models, the flow through a capillary tube is much more complex and numerical solution is usually necessary. To give some insight into this complex flow, a ‘step function’ or ‘amorphous-frozen’ model of the viscosity changes due to crystallisation has been devised so that a semi-analytical approach is feasible. We use this simple model and compare the results with recently published experiments in tubes and channels at high (O(10³ s^− 1)) shear rates using poly(butene-1). A direct correlation between simple shear and tube flow crystallisation onset times is found.