Abstract:The volume flow of poly (vinyl chloride) (21~, = 45,000, To = 350 K) has been measured in an Instron Capillary Rheometer.The elastic modulus in longitudinal compression, the longitudinal volume viscosity and initial longitudinal volume viscosity, and retardation times were determined at temperatures both below (324-343 K) and above (403-453 K) the glass transition temperature Tg, and at compression rates between approximately 10 -5 and 200" 10-Ss -j.An increase in the longitudinal volume viscosity was observed for decreases in the volume deformation, increases in the compression rate and increases in temperature. T o decreased at 0.16 K/MPa. The volume flow activation energy was found to be equal to that for shear flow with a constant value of 91.37 kJ/mol.