On the Shear Number Effect in Stratified Shear Flow

The influence of the shear number on the turbulence evolution in a stably stratified fluid is investigated using direct numerical simulations on grids with up to 512 × 256 × 256 points. The shear number SK/ε is the ratio of a turbulence time scale K/ε to the shear time scale 1/S. Simulations are performed at two initial values of the Reynolds number Re _Λ= 44.72 and Re _Λ= 89.44. When the shear number is increased from small to moderate values, the nondimensional growth rate γ= (1/SK)dK/dt of the turbulent kinetic energy K increases since the shear forcing and its associated turbulence production is larger. However, a further increase of the shear number from moderate to large values results in a reduction of the growth rate γ and the turbulent kinetic energy K shows long-time decay for sufficiently large values of the shear number. The inhibition of turbulence growth at large shear numbers occurs for both initial values of the Reynolds number and can be explained with the predominance of linear effects over nonlinear effects when the shear number is sufficiently high. It is found that, at the higher initial value of the Reynolds number, the reduction of the growth rate occurs at a higher value of the shear number. The shear number is found to affect spectral space dynamics. Turbulent transport coefficients decrease with increasing shear number. Received 23 June 1998 and accepted 25 February 1999     

Rheo-dielectric behavior of low molecular weight liquid crystal 2. Behavior of 8CB in nematic and smectic states

Rheo-dielectric behavior was examined for 4−4^′−n-octyl-cyanobiphenyl (8CB) having large dipoles parallel to its principal axis (in the direction of the C≡N bond). In the quiescent state at all temperatures (T) examined, orientational fluctuation of the 8CB molecules was observed as dielectric dispersions at characteristic frequencies ω_c>10⁶ s⁻¹. In the isotropic state at high T, no detectable changes of the complex dielectric constant ɛ^*(ω) were found under slow flow at shear rates ˙γ≫ω_c. In the nematic state at intermediate T, the terminal relaxation intensity of ɛ^*(ω) was decreased under such slow flow. In the smectic state at lower T, the flow effect became much less significant. These results were related to the flow-induced changes of the liquid crystalline textures in the nematic and smectic states, and the differences of the rheo-dielectric behavior in these states are discussed in relation to a difference of the symmetry of molecular arrangements in the nematic and smectic textures. Received: 1 October 1998 Accepted: 13 January 1999     

Non-linear rheology and flow-induced transition of a lamellar-to-vesicle phase in ternary systems of alkyldimethyl oxide/alcohol/water

 The time-dependent transformation of an ionically charged lamellar phase (L _α-phase) into a vesicle phase under the influence of shear is investigated using rheological and conductivity measurements. The L _α-phase consists of the zwitterionic surfactant tetradecyldimethylaminoxide (C₁₄DMAO), hexanol, oxalic acid and water. The experiments were carried out on the L _α-phase in a well defined state. It was prepared by a special route from the neighbouring L ₃-phase that consists of 100 mM C₁₄DMAO, 250 mM hexanol and 5 mM oxalicdiethylester (OEE). The OEE hydrolyses in the L ₃ -phase to oxalic acid and ethanol. The result is a virgin L _α-phase which consists of stacked bilayers and which has not been exposed to shear. When this low-viscous phase is subjected to shear it is transformed into a highly viscous vesicle phase. The transformation of the L _α-phase into vesicles under constant shear was monitored by recording the viscosity and conductivity with time. It is observed that at least three different time constants can be distinguished in the transformation process. The conductivity passes through a minimum (τ₁) in the direction of shear. The viscosity first passes through a minimum (τ₂) and then over a maximum (τ₃). It is concluded that τ₁ belongs to the complete alignment of the bilayer parallel to the wall, τ₂ to the beginning of the break-up of the bilayers to the vesicles and τ₃ to the complete transformation of the L _α- to the vesicle phase. When the shear rate was varied, it was noted that the product of the time constants and shear is constant. Received: 30 June 1999/Accepted: 30 August 1999     

Similarities Between Rotation and Stratification Effects on Homogeneous Shear Flow

Linear theory is applied to examine rotation and buoyancy effects on homogeneous turbulent shear flows with given vertical velocity shear, S=d/dx ₃. In the rotating shear case (where the rotation vector is perpendicular to the plane of the mean flow, Ω _i =Ωδ _{i 2}), general solutions for the Fourier components of the fluctuating velocity are proposed. These solutions are compared with those proposed in the literature for the Fourier components of the fluctuating velocity and density in the case of a homogeneous stratified shear flow with vertical density gradient, S _ρ=d/dx ₃. It is shown that from the normal mode stability stand point the Bradshaw parameter B=2Ω/S(1+2Ω/S) (in the rotating shear case) and the Richardson number R _i (in the statified shear case) play similar roles in identifying the stability for all the wave components except in the case where Ω·k=0, for which rotation has no effects on the flow. Analysis of the long-time behavior of the non-dimensional spectral density of energy, e ^g , is carried out. In the stable case, e ^g has decaying oscillations or undergoes a power law decay in time. Analytical solutions for the streamwise two-dimensional energy ℰ _ii ¹/2 (i.e. the limit at k ₁=0 of the one-dimensional energy spectra) are proposed. At large time, ℰ _ii ¹(t)/ℰ _ii ¹(0) oscillates around the value (3R _i +1)/(4R _i ) except at R _i =1 it stays constant in time. Similar behavior for ℰ _ii ¹(t)/ℰ _ii ¹(0) is also observed in the rotating shear case (ℰ _ii ¹(t)/ℰ _ii ¹(0) oscillates around the value (1+4B)/(4B)). Due to the behavior of the dimensionless spectral density of energy in both flow cases, the turbulent kinetic energy, /2, the production rate, ?, and the rate due to the buoyancy forces, ℬ, are split into two parts, , ?=?₁+?₂, ℬ=ℬ₁+ℬ₂ (in the stratified shear case, both ?₁ and ℬ₁ vanish when R _i >?, while in the rotating shear case one has ℬ=0). It is shown that when rotation is “cyclonic” (i.e. Ω/S>0), part reaches maximum magnitudes at St ≈2, independent of the B value, and the first time to a zero crossing of ?₂ occurs at this particular value. When rotation is “anticyclonic” (i.e. Ω/S<0) one finds St ≈1.6 instead of St ≈2. In the stratified shear case, both ?₂ and ℬ₂ cross zero at Nt=St ≈2, and part reaches maximum magnitudes at this particular value. These results and in particular those for the turbulent kinetic energy are compared with previous direct numerical simulation (DNS) results in homogeneous stratified shear flows. Received 30 July 2001 and accepted 19 February 2002     

Near-wall flow in a three-dimensional boundary layer on the endwall of a 30° bend

 Turbulence measurements are reported on the three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer along the centerline of the flat endwall in a 30° bend. Profiles of mean velocities and Reynolds stresses were obtained down to y ⁺≈2 for the mean flow and y ⁺≈8 for the turbulent stresses. Mean velocity data collapsed well on a simple law-of-the-wall based on the magnitude of the resultant velocity. The turbulence intensity and turbulent shear stress magnitude both increased with increased three-dimensionality. The ratio of these two quantities, the a ₁ structure parameter, decreased in the central regions of the boundary layer and showed profile similarity for y ⁺<50. The shear stress vector angle lagged behind the velocity gradient vector angle in the outer region of the boundary layer, however there was an indication that the shear stress vector tends to lead the velocity gradient vector close to the wall. Received: 16 July 1996/Accepted: 14 July 1997     

Consecutive chemical reactions in an annular reactor with non-newtonian flow

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the homogeneous consecutive chemical reactions carried out in an annular reactor with non-Newtonian laminar flow. The fluids are assumed to be characterized by a Ostwald-de Waele (powerlaw) model and the reaction kinetics is considered of general order. Effects of flow pseudoplasticity, dimensionless reaction rate constants, order of reaction kinetics and ratio of inner to outer radii of reactor on the reactor performances are examined in detail.Nomenclature c _A concentration of reactant A, g.mole/cm³ - c _B concentration of reactant B, g.mole/cm³ - c _A0 inlet concentration of reactant A, g.mole/cm³ - C ₁ dimensionless concentration of A, c _A/c _A0 - C ₂ dimensionless concentration of B, c _B/c _A0 - C ₁ dimensionless bulk concentration of A - C ₂ dimensionless bulk concentration of B - D _A molecular diffusivity of A, cm²/sec - D _B molecular diffusivity of B, cm²/sec - k _A first reaction rate constant, (g.mole/cm³)^1–m /sec - k _B second reaction rate constant, (g.mole/cm³)^1–n /sec - K ₁ dimensionless first reaction rate constant, k _A r ₀ ² c _A0 ^m–1 /D _A - K ₂ dimensionless second reaction rate constant, k _B r ₀ ² c _A0 ^n–1 /D _B - K apparent viscosity, dyne(sec) ^m /cm² - m order of reaction kinetics - n order of reaction kinetics - P pressure, dyne/cm² - r radial coordinate, cm - r _i radius of inner tube, cm - r _max radius at maximum velocity, cm - r _o radius of outer tube, cm - R dimensionless radial coordinate, r/r _o - s reciprocal of rheological parameter for power-law model - u local velocity, cm/sec - u _max maximum velocity, cm/sec - u bulk velocity, cm/sec - U dimensionless velocity, u/u - z axial coordinate, cm - Z dimensionless axial coordinate, zD _A/r ₀ ² /u - ratio of molecular diffusivity, D _B/D _A - ratio of inner to outer radius of reactor, r _i/r _o - ratio of radius at maximum velocity to outer radius, r _max/r _o     

Shear and elongational flow behavior of acrylic thickener solutions

We investigate the effect of hydrophobic aggregation in alkali-swellable acrylic thickener solutions on shear and extensional flow properties at technically relevant polymer concentrations using the commercial thickener Sterocoll FD as model system. Apparent molecular weight of aggregates in water is M _w  ≈ 10⁸ g/mol and decreases by more than an order of magnitude in ethanol. Zero shear viscosity η ₀ is low and shear thinning is weak compared to the high molecular weight of the aggregates. Linear viscoelastic relaxation is described by the Zimm theory up to frequencies of 10⁴ rad/s, demonstrating that no entanglements are present in these solutions. This is further supported by the concentration dependence of η ₀ and is attributed to strong association within the aggregates. Extensional flow behavior is characterized using the capillary break-up extensional rheometry technique including high-speed imaging. Solutions with ϕ ≥ 1% undergo uniform deformation and show pronounced strain hardening up to large Hencky strains. Elongational relaxation times are more than one order of magnitude lower than the longest shear relaxation times, suggesting that aggregates cannot withstand strong flows and do not contribute to the elongational viscosity.

Differential constitutive equation for entangled polymers with partial strand extension

Beginning with a formal statement of the conservation of probability, we derive a new differential constitutive equation for entangled polymers under flow. The constitutive equation is termed the Partial Strand Extension (PSE) equation because it accounts for partial extension of polymer strands in flow. Partial extensibility is included in the equation by considering the effect of a step strain with amplitude E on the primitive chain contour length. Specifically, by a simple scaling argument we show that the mean primitive chain contour length after retraction is L=L ₀ E ^1/2, not the equilibrium length L ₀ as previously thought. The equilibrium contour length is infact recovered only after a characteristic stretch relaxation time λ _s that is bounded by the reptation time and longest Rouse relaxation time for the primitive chain. The PSE model predictions of polymer rheology in various shear and extensional flows are found to be in good to excellent agreement with experimental results from several groups. Received: 16 July 1997 Accepted: 22 January 1998     

An approach to the estimation of polymer melt elasticity

An effective method has been proposed to estimate the primary normalstress difference versus shear rate curves at temperatures relevant to the processing conditions only from the knowledge of the melt flow index, the molecular-weight distribution and the glass transition temperature of the polymer. The method involves the use of a unified curve obtained by coalescing the elastic response curves of various grades in terms of the modified normal-stress coefficient ₁ (MFI)² and a modified shear rate . Unified curves have been reported for low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon.Nomenclature C ₁ constant in eq. (4) - J _e steady state compliance (cm²/dyne) - proportionality constant in eq. (6) - L load (kg) - L ₁ load (kg) at ASTM test conditions - L ₂ load (kg) at required conditions - MFI melt flow index (gm/10 min) - number average molecular weight - weight average molecular weight - z-average molecular weight - (z+1)-average molecular weight - n slope of the shear stress vs. shear curve on a log-log scale - N ₁ primary normal-stress difference (dynes/cm²) - Q molecular weight distribution expressed as - T ₁is> temperature (K) at condition 1 - T ₂is> temperature (K) at condition 2 - T _g glass transition temperature (K) - T _s standard reference temperature equal toT _g + 50 K - shear rate (s^–1) - ₀ zero-shear viscosity (poise) - apparent viscosity (poise) - density (g/cm³) - ₁₂ shear stress (dynes/cm²) - ₁₁– ₂₂ primary normal-stress difference (dynes/cm²) - _1,0 zero shear rate primary normal-stress coefficient (dynes/cm² · sec²) - ₁ primary normal-stress coefficient (dynes/cm² · sec²) - ₂ secondary normal-stress coefficient (dynes/cm² · sec²) NCL-Communication No. 3106     

Rheologische Messungen an Polypropylenschmelzen

Zusammenfassung Es wurden Fließkurven von Polypropylenschmelzen bei 190 °C in einem Schergefällebereich von etwa 10^–1 bis 10² sec^–1 aufgenommen, wobei drei Serien von Polymerproben herangezogen wurden: eine Serie PP 1–7 von isotaktischen Propylenpolymerisaten mit einer Molekulargewichtsverteilung, die durch¯M _w /¯M _n 4–6 gekennzeichnet war; eine zweite Serie PP 1d–5d von abgebauten Polymerproben mit¯M _w /¯M _n 2–3; eine dritte Serie PP 1m–3m, die aus Mischungen von Polypropylenen bestand und die durch¯M _w /¯M _n >10 gekennzeichnet war. Es wurde der Einfluß des Molekulargewichts und der Molekulargewichtsverteilung auf die Fließkurven untersucht, insbesondere der Einfluß auf den Exponentenn in derOstwald-de Waele-Gleichung=KD ⁿ . Es wurde versucht, die Ergebnisse durch die universaleVinogradov-Viskositätsfunktion darzustellen, wobei sich aber sehr wesentliche Abweichungen infolge Variation des Molekulargewichts und der Molekulargewichtsverteilung ergaben.

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Summary Flow curves of molten polypropylene were determined at 190 °C over a shear gradient range of about l0^–1 to 10² sec^–1. Three series of polymer samples have been used: one series PP 1–7 of isotactic propylene polymerization products with a molecular weight distribution characterized by¯M _w /¯M _n 4–6, another series of degraded polymer samples PP 1d–5d with¯M _w /¯M _n 2–3, and still another series of polymer mixtures PP 1m–3m with¯M _w /¯M _n >10. The influence of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution on the flow curves was investigated, particularly on the exponentn in theOstwald-de Waele-power law=KD ⁿ . An attempt to plot the results by the universalVinogradov-viscosity function produced marked deviations due to variation of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution.

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Vorgetragen auf der Arbeitstagung der Sektion Rheologie des Vereins Österreichischer Chemiker am 17. November 1967 in Graz. Mitteilung I, II: Rheol. Acta5, 89 (1966); ibid. im Druck [Messung und Interpretation von Filmkurven].     

Relation between steady shear flow and dynamic rheology

Summary The relationships between steady shear flow and dynamic rheology are investigated at relatively high shear rates and frequencies. A useful empirical relationship in this region predicts that the magnitude of the complex dynamic viscosity | ^*| should be compared with the shear viscosity at equal values of frequency and shear rate (Cox-Merz-rule). Polystyrenes (PS) and Polyacrylamides (PAAm) have been investigated over a wide range of concentration and molecular weight. Only in case of PAAm/H₂O solutions we have found that the results do not coincide with Cox-Merz-rule. As far as we know this is the first time that deviations from Cox-Merz-rule were observed in a homogeneous system. A molecular interpretation is given.

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Zusammenfassung Die Beziehung zwischen der Scherviskosität und der komplexen (dynamischen) Viskosität bei relativ hohen Schergeschwindigkeiten und Frequenzen wurde untersucht. Eine geeignete empirische Beziehung in diesem Bereich sagt aus, daß der Betrag der komplexen Viskosität | ^*| mit der Scherviskosität bei gleichen Werten von Frequenz und Schergeschwindigkeit vergleichbar ist (Cox-Merz-Regel). Polystyrole (PS) and Polyacrylamide (PAAm) wurden über einen weiten Bereich der Konzentration und des Molekulargewichts untersucht. Nur im Fall der PAAm/H₂O-Lösungen wurden Abweichungen von der Cox-Merz-Regel gefunden. Soweit uns bekannt, ist es das erste Mal, daß Abweichungen von der Cox-Merz-Regel in einem homogenen System gefunden wurden. Eine molekulare Erklärung wird gegeben.

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Presented at the IUPAC 26^th International Symposium on Macromolecules, Mainz, September 17–21, 1979.

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With 4 figures and 1 table     

Three-dimensional elastic behavior of a nonhomogeneous layer

Summary  This paper deals with the theoretical treatment of a three-dimensional elastic problem governed by a cylindrical coordinate system (r,θ,z) for a medium with nonhomogeneous material property. This property is defined by the relation G(z)=G ₀(1+z/a) ^m where G ₀,a and m are constants, i.e., shear modulus of elasticity G varies arbitrarily with the axial coordinate z by the power product form. We propose a fundamental equation system for such nonhomogeneous medium by using three kinds of displacement functions and, as an illustrative example, we apply them to an nonhomogeneous thick plate (layer) subjected to an arbitrarily distributed load (not necessarily axisymmetric) on its surfaces. Numerical calculations are carried out for several cases, taking into account the variation of the nonhomogeneous parameter m. The numerical results for displacement and stress components are shown graphically. Received 10 May 1999; accepted for publication 15 August 1999     

Rheology of lyotropic and thermotropic lamellar phases

We investigate the steady-state rheological behaviour of the lamellar phase of a lyotropic system (CpCl, hexanol, brine) and of a thermotropic system (8CB). Power laws characterize the behaviour of the imposed stress as a function of the measured shear rate and similarities are observed for both systems; the same regime γ˙∼σ ^m with m≈1.7 is obtained at low shear stresses corresponding to a texture of oily streaks oriented in the direction of the flow, as shown by microscopic observations. The “onion state” only exists in the case of dilute samples of the lyotropic lamellar phase; the stress then varies as γ˙∼σ ^m with m≈4.8, as already observed by other groups with different systems. Rheological measurements at different temperatures allow determination of different activation energies relating to the still badly understood processes involved in the different rheological regimes. We propose a model which reproduces the experimental power laws and which is based on an analogy with the theory of high-temperature creep in metals and alloys. Received: 19 October 1999/Accepted: 1 November 1999     

Gradient Estimates for Solutions to Divergence Form Elliptic Equations with Discontinuous Coefficients

In this paper we derive global W ^1,∞ and piecewise C ^1,α estimates for solutions to divergence form elliptic equations with piecewise H?lder continuous coefficients. The novelty of these estimates is that, even though they depend on the shape and on the size of the surfaces of discontinuity of the coefficients, they are independent of the distance between these surfaces. Accepted: June 8, 1999     

Rheology of polymer blends

Rheological properties of blends of amorphous and crystalline polymers were studied for a broad range of compositions and temperatures. It was established that below the melting pointT _m the viscoelastic properties of blends of crystalline polymers are similar to those of polymers filled with mineral fillers. In both cases these properties are influenced by the existence, in such systems, of a temporary structural network formed by mineral or polymeric particles and its subsequent breakdown under the action of shear stresses. It was found that an anomalous decrease in the melt viscosity of the main component on addition of a small amount of a second polymer depended on deformation conditions. The comparison of data on viscoelastic properties and thermodynamic interaction between the components in the melt, estimated from the parameter ₂₃ of a new Flory theory, shows that the sharp drop of viscosity takes place in the region of microphase separation due to the appearance of an excess free volume in the interphase region. Calculation of the relaxation spectra for various blends also revealed marked changes when various amounts of a second component were added to the main polymer.     

Creep recovery behavior of metallocene linear low-density polyethylenes

The rheological behavior of two metallocene linear low-density polyethylenes (mLLDPE) is investigated in shear creep recovery measurements using a magnetic bearing torsional creep apparatus of high accuracy. The two mLLDPE used are homogeneous with respect to the comonomer distribution. The most interesting feature of the two mLLDPE is that their molecular mass distributions are alike. Therefore, as one of the mLLDPE contains long-chain branches, the influence of long-chain branching on the elastic properties of polyethylene melts could be investigated. It was found that long-chain branches increase the elasticity of the melt characterized by the steady-state recoverable compliance. The long-chain branched mLLDPE has a flow activation energy of 45 kJ/mol which is distinctly higher than that of the other mLLDPE. The shear thinning behavior is much more pronounced for the long-chain branched mLLDPE. A discrepancy between the weight average molecular mass M _w calculated from size exclusion chromatography measurements by the universal calibration method and the zero shear viscosities of the two mLLDPE was observed. These observations are discussed with reference to the molecular architecture of the long-chain branched mLLDPE. The rheological properties of the long-chain branched mLLDPE are compared with those of a classical long-chain branched LDPE. It is surprisingly found that the rheological behavior is very much the same for these two products although their molecular mass distributions and presumedly the branching structures differ largely. Received: 15 February 1999 Accepted: 10 June 1999     

Shear characterization of unidirectional composites with the off-axis tension test

The influence of end constraints on accurate determination of the intralaminar shear modulusG ₁₂ from an off-axis tension test is examined both analytically and experimentally. The Pagano-Halpin model is employed to illustrate that, when the effect of end constraints is properly considered, the exact expression forG ₁₂ is obtained. When the effect of end constraints is neglected, expressions for the apparent shear modulusG ₁₂ ^* and apparent Young's modulusE _xx ^* are obtained. Numerical comparison for various off-axis configurations and aspect ratios is carried out using typical material properties for graphite/polyimide unidirectional composites. It is demonstrated that the end-constraint effect influences accurate determination ofG ₁₂ more adversely than it affects the laminate Young's modulusE _xx in the low off-axis range. Experimental results obtained from off-axis tests on unidirectional Gr/Pi specimens confirm the above. Based on the presented analytical and experimental evidence, the 45-deg off-axis coupon is proposed for the determination of the intralaminar shear modulusG ₁₂.     

Degree of branching of polypropylene measured from Fourier-transform rheology

In this study, linear and branched polypropylenes (PP) were compared under medium strain amplitude oscillatory shear (usually strain amplitude range from 10 to 100%) with Fourier-transform rheology (FT rheology). On a log–log diagram, the third relative intensity (I ₃/I ₁), which is a parameter to represent nonlinearity, shows a linear relationship with the strain amplitude in the range of medium strain amplitude. The slope of I ₃/I ₁ of linear PP with various molecular weight and molecular weight distribution was 2 as most constitutive equations predict, while that of branched PP was 1.64, which is lower than that of linear PP. When the linear and branch PP were blended, the slope of I ₃/I ₁ was proportional to the composition of the branch PP. Therefore, it is suggested that the degree of branching can be defined in terms of the slope of I ₃/I ₁ under medium amplitude oscillatory shear.     

The weak shear kinetic phase diagram for nematic polymers

We study the shear problem for nematic polymers as modeled by the molecular kinetic theory of Doi (1981), focusing on the anomalous slow flow regime. We provide the kinetic phase diagram of monodomain (MD) attractors and phase transitions vs normalized nematic concentration (N) and weak normalized shear rate (Peclet number, Pe). We then overlay all rheological features typically reported in experiments: alignment properties, normal stress differences and shear stress. These features play a critical role in the synthesis between theory and experiment for nematic polymers (Larson 1999; Doi and Edwards 1986). MD type is routinely used for rheological shear characterization: cf., flow-aligning 5CB (Mather et al. 1996a), tumbling PBT (Srinivasarao and Berry 1991), and 8CB (Mather et al. 1996b), evidence for a wagging regime (Mewis et al. 1997), out-of-plane kayaking modes (Larson and Ottinger 1991), and evidence for chaotic major director dynamics (Bandyopadhyay et al. 2000). MD transitions correlate with sign changes in normal stresses (Larson and Ottinger 1991; Magda et al. 1991; Kiss and Porter 1978, 1980). Furthermore, structure formation in shear devices appears to be correlated with monodomain precursor dynamics (Tan and Berry 2003; Forest et al. 2002a). In this paper we combine seminal kinetic theory results (Kuzuu and Doi 1983, 1984; Larson 1990; Larson and Ottinger 1991; Faraoni et al. 1999; Grosso et al. 2001), symmetry observations (Forest et al. 2002b), and mesoscopic results on the fate of orientational degeneracy in weak shear (Forest and Wang 2003; Forest et al. 2003a), together with our resolved numerical simulations, to provide the kinetic flow-phase diagram of Doi theory in the weak shear regime, 0<Pe<1, for infinitely thin rods. We report the "birth" of key rheological features at the onset of flow: sign changes and local maxima and minima in normal stress differences (N₁ and N₂) associated with MD transitions. These results serve as the basis for continuation of the kinetic phase diagram to Pe>1 ; as the definitive benchmark for any mesoscopic or continuum model; and experimental data can be compared in order to determine accuracy and limitations of the Doi theory in weak shear.     

Normal stress difference in liquid lubricants sheared under high pressure

Although normal stress differences in liquids have conventionally been associated with polymers, aspects of rheological behavior in lubricated concentrated contacts suggest that normal stress difference may be significant in even low molecular weight liquids sheared under high pressure and high shear stress. A torsional flow rheogoniometer was constructed for use at high (300 MPa) pressure. Four typical liquid lubricants were investigated, including one polymer/mineral oil solution. Shear stress and N ₂-N ₂ are reported as functions of shear rate. The effect of pressure variation is reported for two liquids. Results are compared with predictive techniques and a molecular dynamics simulation. Simple low molecular weight lubricant base oils can generate measurable and significant normal stress differences when sheared at high shear stress.