Extensional rheology of dilute polymer solutions in oscillatory cross-slot flow: The transient behaviour of birefringent strands

Birefringent strands are key to understanding polymeric non-Newtonian flows, especially in extension. Utilising microfluidic extensional flow oscillatory rheometry coupled with microvelocimetry (μ-PIV), we report experiments on the genesis, steady state and decay of such strands, together with rheological consequences. For closely monodisperse atactic polystyrene, we report massive effects of the polymer on flow even at low concentrations. The often observed startup "overshoot" in stress and birefringence is observed at unprecedented dilution and discussed in terms of the local strain rate. Strand decay shows pronounced hysteresis. These factors are most important in modelling real flows such as cyclic and capillary entrance flows. Even with the closely monodisperse and well-characterised samples used, residual polydispersity plays a vital role in flow behaviour. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.