Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Effect of branching in cross-slot flow: the formation of ``W cusps''

Hassell, D.G.; Hoyle, D.; Auhl, D.; Harlen, O.; Mackley, M.R.; McLeish, T.C.B.

Authors

D.G. Hassell

D. Hoyle

D. Auhl

O. Harlen

M.R. Mackley

T.C.B. McLeish



Abstract

The sensitivity of the principal stress difference (PSD) profile to molecular architecture is demonstrated for flow in a cross-slot geometry. For materials with low levels of branching, the pattern along the outlet centre line exhibited “single cusps”, while an increase in molecular branching was found to lead to “W cusps”. The formation of these W cusps was found to be independent of extensional rate for the conditions probed, and they were formed initially at the stagnation point and travelled along the outlet centre line with time. Comparison with simulations performed using a multi-mode “pom-pom” model failed to predict W cusps, although the general level of PSD was accurately captured.

Citation

Hassell, D., Hoyle, D., Auhl, D., Harlen, O., Mackley, M., & McLeish, T. (2009). Effect of branching in cross-slot flow: the formation of ``W cusps''. Rheologica Acta, 48(5), 551-561. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-009-0353-0

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jun 1, 2009
Deposit Date Oct 31, 2011
Journal Rheologica Acta
Print ISSN 0035-4511
Electronic ISSN 1435-1528
Publisher Springer
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 48
Issue 5
Pages 551-561
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-009-0353-0
Keywords Flow modeling, Extensional flow, Birefringence.