| Abstract: | The theories of viscoelasticity of chain-molecule solutions, based on the bead-spring model, have been modified to take into account approximately the effect of interactions among chain molecules. The motion of a given chain molecule has been analyzed in detail while all other chain molecules have been treated as a background of uniformly distributed beads in which the given chain molecule is suspended. The inclusion of intermolecular interactions leads to a hydrodynamic interaction tensor, which after averaging, differs from that of Kirkwood by a concentration-dependent correction term. The modified theory correctly predicts the transition from the non-draining to the free-draining behavior which has been observed in chain-molecule solutions as their concentrations are increased. |
