Fibre spinning of a weakly elastic liquid

This paper presents a study of a silicone oil (poly(dimethyl siloxane)) in extensional deformation using an instrument developed recently by the authors. Data from steady shear and low amplitude sinusoidal deformation of this liquid clearly establish that it is weakly elastic. The viscometric data, for shear rates less than 100 s ⁻¹, are best represented by either the Maxwell model or the Jeffrey's model, the latter being marginally superior. The extensional data show that at low deformation rates, this fluid exhibits a Newtonian behavior with an apparent extensional viscosity equal to three times the shear viscosity. Under these conditions the velocity profiles along the spinline are also well represented by the Newtonian model. However, at higher deformation rates better predictions of the velocity profiles are obtained from the Jeffrey's and Maxwell models. At deformation rates above 100 s ⁻¹ none of these simple models is adequate. Under the conditions used in these experiments, the fractional increase in tensile stress along the fiber is shown both theoretically and experimentally to be a unique function of the total strain. Furthermore, the apparent extensional viscosity at any point on the spinline can be calculated from steady state expressions if allowance is made for the variation of stretch rates by defining a time averaged stretch rate.The results obtained here show that elasticity must be considered if these model liquids are used to conduct rheological experiments at high deformation rates. Additionally, it is found that elastic effects in extension can be predicted using simple constitutive equations provided viscometric data can be represented properly in the deformation rate range of interest. Finally, the present research further substantiates the utility of the extensional viscometer developed by the authors.