Viscosity of some clay-based coating colors at high shear rates

The shear viscosity of clay-based coating colors containing latex and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) has been measured over a relatively large shearrate region. In the shear-rate range of 50–1500 s^–1 the measurements were performed using a rotational viscometer and, at higher shear rates extending into the region 10⁵ – 10⁶ s^–1, a high pressure capillary viscometer was employed. The viscosity of the clay colors increased with increasing CMC-concentration, but the influence of the CMC-content was less pronounced at higher shear rates. The apparent shear-thinning behavior of the investigated colors could, in part, be attributed to the shear-thinning of the corresponding polymer (CMC) solution constituting the liquid phase of the color, but the influence of another factor was also indicated. At low shear rates, the interaction between the color components can produce relatively high viscosity levels, but in the high shear rate region these interactions appear to be less important for the viscosity level. It is also of interest to note that the viscosity dependence on the solids content in the high shear-rate region could be described with reasonable accuracy using an empirical equation neglecting interactions between the color components.     

Mesophase formation in high molecular-weight xanthan solutions

After a short review of theoretical background on mesophase formation in polymer solutions, this paper describes the liquid crystal phase transition and the corresponding rheological properties for aqueous solutions of a high-molecularweight xanthan sample (M _w 1.8 10⁶). The formation of mesophases has been studied using polarizing microscopy and viscometry. The effects of the presence of salts, bacteria cells and proteins have been investigated. The variations in the viscosity, due to mesophase formation, are in qualitative agreement with the predictions of Matheson's theory, but the onset of the ordered phase occurs at very low polymer concentrations and the diphasic domain is much broader than predicted by thermodynamic models. These characteristics of the phase transition are related to the very high molecular weight of the sample studied and can be explained mainly by the effects of cooperative interactions between xanthan chains and of chain flexibility reducing translational entropy.     

On the relaxation of shear and normal stresses of viscoelastic fluids following constant shear rate experiments

By means of a cone and plate rheometer the relaxation of the shear stress and the first normal stress difference in polymer liquids upon cessation of a constant shear rate were examined. The experiments were conducted mostly in a high shear rate region of relevance for the processing of these materials. The relaxation behavior at these shear rates can only be measured accurately under extremely precise specifications of the rheometer. To determine under which conditions the integral normal thrust is a convenient measure for the relaxing local first normal stress difference the radial distribution of the pressure in the shear gap was measured. The shape of relaxation of both the shear stress and the first normal stress difference could be closely approximated for the entire measured shear rate and time range by a two parameter statistical function. In the range of measured shear rates, one of the parameters, the standard deviationS, is equal for the shear and the normal stress, and is independent of the shear rate within the limit of experimental error. The second parameter, the mean relaxation timet _50, of the shear stress andt _50, of the first normal stress difference, can be calculated approximately from the viscosity function and only a single relaxation experiment.     

Driven torsion pendulum for measuring the complex shear modulus in a steady shear flow

To investigate the viscoelastic behavior of fluid dispersions under steady shear flow conditions, an apparatus for parallel superimposed oscillations has been constructed which consists of a rotating cup containing the liquid under investigation in which a torsional pendulum is immersed. By measuring the resonance frequency and bandwidth of the resonator in both liquid and in air, the frequency and steady-shear-rate-dependent complex shear modulus can be obtained. By exchange of the resonator lumps it is possible to use the instrument at four different frequencies: 85, 284, 740, and 2440 Hz while the steady shear rate can be varied from 1 to 55 s^–1. After treatment of the theoretical background, design, and measuring procedure, the calibration with a number of Newtonian liquids is described and the accuracy of the instrument is discussed.Notation a radius of the lump - A geometrical constant - b inner radius of the sample holder - c constant - C ₁, C ₂ apparatus constants - D damping of the pendulum - e _x , e _y , e _z Cartesian basis - e _r , e , e _z orthonormal cylindrical basis - E geometrical constant - E _t , ⁰ E _t , _t relative strain tensor - f function of shear rate - F _t relative deformation tensor - G (t) memory function - G ^* complex shear modulus - G Re(G ^* ) - G Im(G ^* ) - h distance between plates - H ^* transfer function - , functional - i imaginary unit: i ²= – 1 - I moment of inertia - J _exc excitation current - J ₀ amplitude of J _exc - k ^* = k – ik complex wave number - K torsional constant - K fourth order tensor - l length of the lump - L mutual inductance - M _dr driving torque - M _liq torque exerted by the liquid - ⁰ M _liq, _liq steady state and dynamic part of Mliq - n power of the shear rate - p isotropic pressure - Q quality factor - r radial position - R,R ₀, R _c Re(Z ^*, Z ₀ ^* , Z _c ^* ) - s time - t, t time - T temperature - T, ⁰ T, stress tensor - u velocity - U lock-in output - ₀ velocity - V _det detector output voltage - V _sig, V _cr signal and cross-talk part of V _det - x Cartesian coordinate - X , X ₀, X _c Im(Z ^*, Z ₀ ^* , Z _c ^* ) - y Cartesian coordinate - z Cartesian coordinate, axial position     

Measurement of the shear viscosity using a newly developed GRLDA-viscometer

A two-point laser-Doppler anemometer is used to determine velocity gradients. Measuring additionally the pressure drop in channel flow allows one to use this instrument as a viscometer. This is demonstrated by measuring two polymer solutions as well as water. Besides the velocity gradient, the system also furnishes the velocity as well as velocity fluctuations. For surfactant solutions the sudden increase in these fluctuations go hand-in-hand with the sudden shear thickening reported. This behavior thus seems to be caused by a change in type of flow field (structural turbulence) rather than a change in the rheology of the surfactant solutions.This paper is dedicated to Professor Hanswalter Giesekus on the occasion of his retirement as Editor of Rheologica Acta.     

Flow birefringence and rheological measurements on shear induced micellar structures

Aqueous solutions of cationic surfactant systems with strongly binding counterions show the striking phenomenon of shear induced phase transitions. At low shear rates or angular frequencies, the solutions exhibit Newtonian flow. At high rates of shear, however, the rheological properties change dramatically. Above a well defined threshold value of the velocity gradient, a supermolecular structure can be formed from micellar aggregates. This shear induced structure (SIS) behaves like a gel and exhibits strong flow birefringence. The formation of the shear induced structure is very complicated and depends on the specific conditions of the surfactant system. In this paper we discuss new results which have been obtained from rheological measurements and from flow birefringence data. We examine the stability of the shear induced state as a function of temperature, surfactant concentration and salt concentration and we analyse the effect of solubilisation of alcohols and hydrocarbons. The results are interpreted in terms of a kinetic model which accounts for the observed behavior.Dedicated to the 60. birthday of Prof. H. Harnisch, Hoechst AGPartly presented at the 2nd Conference of European Rheologists, Prague, June 17–20, 1986     

Statistical mechanics of temporary polymer networks

The statistical theory of temporary polymer networks developed in parts I and II of this work is closed by a discussion on dynamical effects, including comparison with experiments. After a short review of the theory developed in parts I and II we discuss the situation in which a prescribed velocity gradient is imposed on the physical system formed by the temporary network and the solvent. The dynamical equation for the 2nd moments (derived from a generalized bead-spring model) contains the configuration-dependent transition probability, which depends on the second moments in a complex way. An approximate solution of these equations is obtained from a computer program. It shows the experimentally observed behavior, in particular the stress overshoot maximum after a sudden start of the flow.The derivation of the above equations contains simplifying assumptions which, however, leave the essential physics intact. The most important assumptions concern the relaxation time approach and the decay and formation processes. These were supposed to be dilute enough to break up the many-junction processes into one-junction processes. Both assumptions are analogous to frequently used assumptions in Boltzmann's kinetic theory.     

Effect of secondary zone dimensions on melt fracture manifestations of high density polyethylene

An experimental study was performed on melt fracture phenomena in extrusion of high density polyethylene. The purpose of the work was to study the sensitivity of melt fracture driven roughness to the size of recirculation zones, viz. secondary zones. The experimental apparatus consists of a right angle die and a hypodermic needle used as a capillary. The position of the needle relative to the die was adjusted using a special fixture. The roughness of the extrudate was studied as a function of penetration depth. A developed procedure provides a comparison between profile lengths of extruded strands. The computed mean, median, and mode values for roughness were presented as a function of capillary position. A qualitative analysis was conducted for the force oscillations during extrusion with a separate set of dies, equipped with the fixed capillaries of identical lengths and different depths of penetration. It was observed that the oscillatory pattern is sensitive to the sizes of the secondary zones. This qualitative observation supports the conclusions from the quantitative analysis that the roughness of the extrudate can be controlled through an adjustment of the secondary zone sizes.Partly presented at the 58th Annual Meeting of the Society of Rheology, Tulsa, Oklahoma, October 20–23, 1986     

Analysis of Taylor vortex flow by means of laser light scattering

Rheological measurements and light-scattering experiments were performed on dilute solutions of high molecular polystyrene. We are able to describe the orientation behavior of chain molecules under shear flow by means of light-scattering. Beyond that these investigations of light-scattering of flowing polymer solutions are an useful and suitable tool for detection and characterization of Taylor vortex formation. We can estimate the appearance of these hydrodynamic instabilities, which overlay the laminar main flow and we can observe a typical influence of the solvent power on it.Presented in part at the meeting of the Deutsche Rheologische Gesellschaft, Berlin, 13–15 May, 1991.     

Wall effects in the flow of flexible polymer solutions through small pores

Effective viscosities of dilute and semidilute flexible solutions flowing through small cylindrical pores were determined in the Newtonian regime for various pore diameters. The low viscosities relative to the bulk were associated with a depletion phenomenon due to a steric exclusion of macromolecules from the pore wall. Using a two-fluid flow model, the depletion layer thickness was determined and discussed as a function of polymer concentration, ionic strength, and molecular weight. This thickness, which was constant and close to the macromolecule gyration radius in dilute regime, was found to decrease rapidly with polymer concentration in the semidilute regime.     

Extensional flow resistance of dilute polyacrylamide and surfactant solutions

The extensional flow behaviour of dilute aqueous solutions of a partiallyhy-drolyzed polyacrylamide and a surfactant were investigated in an extensional flow cell. The cell was designed such that fluids were subjected to steady shear before undergoing extensional motion in a converging channel. Extensional resistance was monitored by measuring the pressure drop through the channel. Such measurements were made over a range of extensional rates at fixed values of the upstream shear rate. Solutions of different concentrations were tested — up to 40 ppm of polyacrylamide and 450 ppm of surfactant — at various temperatures in the case of surfactant and for different types and amounts of salt in the case of polyacrylamide. Of the results, the more notable are that the extensional resistance of polyacrylamide solutions is affected much more by CaCl₂ than by NaCl and that surfactant solutions do not exhibit extensional resistance unless they are pre-sheared.     

Prediction of the non-linear rheological properties of polymer solutions by means of the Rouse-Zimm model with slippage

The non-affine deformation of macromolecules and the slippage function are discussed. In case of polymer solutions with moderate concentration the slippage function is determined by means of the Cox-Merz rule. The non-linear viscoelasticity of these solutions is described with the aid of the Rouse-Zimm model with slippage function. The theoretical predictions show good agreement with published experimental data.     

Different behaviors of concentrated polysaccharide systems in large-amplitude oscillating shear fields

Two series of oscillatory flow tests were carried out on two concentrated polysaccharide systems (hydroxyethyl guar gum and scleroglucan) in order to evaluate the possibilities offered by large-deformation techniques for the discrimination between different classes of macromolecular systems (i.e., entanglement networks and weak gels). Frequently and strain sweeps, as well as combined steady and oscillatory shear tests were performed to analyze the influence of strain amplitude and of the superposed parallel shear rate on the dynamic properties of these materials.     

Rheological properties of lightly crosslinked carboxy copolymers in aqueous solutions

The rheological properties of a series of lightly crosslinked carboxy copolymers in aqueous solutions have been evaluated in steady shear and dynamic oscillatory modes. Viscosity profiles and the behavior of storage modulus are related to the chemical composition of the copolymers and their crosslinking density. A maximum in viscosity and in storage modulus which depends on the type of crosslinking agent used is explained by a combination of a chain entanglement mechanism and a closely-packed spheres model. The recovery of viscosity and storage modulus after shearing is very fast and is related to the very fast rearrangement of the microgel structure as a function of time.     

Messung der dynamischen Eigenschaften verdünnter Polymerlösungen

Zusammenfassung Ein neuartiges Rheometer zur Ermittlung der rheologischen Eigenschaften von Polymerlösungen im linear-viskoelastischen Bereich wird vorgestellt. Durch Anwendung der Laser-Doppler-Anemometrie, die eine im hydro-dynamischen Sinn störungsfreie Meßmethode darstellt, ist es möglich, niedrig-viskose bis hin zu wasserähnlichen Proben zu vermessen.Zur Bewältigung der in großer Zahl anfallenden Daten und Rechenoperationen findet ein Mikrocomputer-System Verwendung. Es erledigt im einzelnen die Aufgaben Versuchsablauf-Steuerung, Meßwerterfassung, Auswertung, Dokumentation und graphische Darstellung der Ergebnisse.Anhand von Messungen an newtonschen Flüssigkeiten werden der Funktionsnachweis erbracht und die Betriebsbereiche der Ringspaltsysteme unterschiedlichen Durchmessers ermittelt.Die viskoelastischen Eigenschaften von wäßrigen Polyethylenoxid- und Polyacrylamid-Lösungen niedriger Viskosität lassen sich über einen Frequenzbereich von 0,1 bis 100 Hz messen. Die Ergebnisse werden mit Hilfe der komplexen Viskositätsfunktion dargestellt. Daraus läßt sich als gleichwertige Darstellung das diskrete Relaxationsspektrum eines konkreten Stoffgesetzes gewinnen.

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A novel rheometer for determining the elastic characteristics of polymeric solutions in the linear-viscoelastic region is described. Laser-Doppler anemometry, which does not introduce hydrodynamic disturbances, is used to enable low viscosity liquids including water-like samples to be measured.A microcomputer system is utilized to control the experiments, store and analyse the measured data, and provide graphical representations of the results. Measurements on Newtonian liquids verified the validity of the method and allowed the operational regions of the annulus systems with different diameters to be determined.The elastic characteristics of low viscosity aqueous solutions of polyethyleneoxide and polyacrylamide can be measured at frequencies from 0.1 to 100 Hz. The results are presented using the complex viscosity function. As a result the discrete relaxation spectrum of a special material law can be obtained as an equivalent representation.

     

Finite shear strain behavior of a crosslinking polydimethylsiloxane near its gel point

A power law distribution of relaxation times, large normal stress differences, and physical rupture of molecular network strands dominate the shear behavior of polymers at the gel point (critical gels). This is shown in a series of well-defined experiments with increasing magnitude of shear on a model-network polymer system consisting of a linear, telechelic, vinyl-terminated poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a four-functional siloxane crosslinker. Stable samples were prepared by stopping the crosslinking reaction at different extents of reaction in the vicinity of the gel point (GP). The Gel Equation has been shown to be valid up to strains of about 2 when using a finite strain tensor. Larger strains have been found to disrupt the network structure of the crosslinking polymer, and introduce a mechanical delay to the gel point. A sample that was crosslinked beyond the gel point (p>p _c ) can be reduced from the solid state to a critical gel, or even to a viscoelastic liquid, depending on the magnitude of shear strain. As a consequence, the relaxation exponent of a critical gel created under the influence of shear is less than that of a quiescently crosslinked critical gel.     

Pressure driven flow of dilute polymer solutions in a channel: Analytic results for very small and for very large channels

Kinetic theory of dilute macromolecular solutions is applied to pressure driven flow in a small channel where wall- (and interfacial) layers have to be reckoned with. The complete rheology is studied. It turns out that for very small channels both the shear stress and the normal stress are an order of magnitude larger than corresponding quantities in simple shear. On the other hand, when the channel is so wide that the wall layers are very thin in comparison, agreement with results appropriate for simple shear is found. The volume flow rate-pressure difference relation is derived and compared to the prediction which utilizes the slip velocity concept. For very small channels, this concept is five orders of magnitude off, but reproduces asymptotically correct results for very large channels.