Viscosity Modeling of Polymer Solutions

Abstract

In this work, we review the theory behind solution viscosity and show how it inspires the mathematical formulation of semi-empirical models. We then demonstrate parameter estimation and model discrimination using experimental data for established product designs and, finally, validate the model by applying it to developmental products.

State‐Of‐The‐Art Quantification of Polymer Solution Viscosity for Plastic Waste Recycling

“…Thus, polymer solutions exhibit a shear-thinning behavior while being sheared and a viscoelastic behavior once the stress is discontinued. [30,31] The viscoelastic behavior of polymer solutions can be observed when the material exhibits a deformation or strain once a stress is applied. [41,42] Viscoelasticity can be categorized into linear and nonlinear.…”

“…[11,[26][27][28][29] These dependencies are discussed in the next paragraphs, also making a link to the related property diffusivity. [31]; copyright John Wiley and Sons, 2018 and from ref. [37]; copyright Carl Hanser Verlag, 2015.…”

“…[37]; copyright Carl Hanser Verlag, 2015. [31,37,38,40] Figure 5. Schematic representation of system in which (a) We !…”

“…[31] Finally, the semidilute regime is the transition from dilute to concentrated solutions, where polymer chains start to entangle. This regime is determined by the average molar mass, temperature and polymer concentration, [31] more precisely it is characterized by an overlap concentration, or critical concentration, c*. [55,59,60] For a fixed average molar mass, the critical shear rate is shifted to lower values as the concentration of the solution increases (Figure 6).…”

“…[30][31][32] However, at very low and high shear rates, polymer solutions show a Newtonian plateau thus constant viscosity. [30,31] Several models have been proposed to describe the viscosity of polymer solutions and they are typically divided into Newtonian, non-Newtonian and the more advanced viscoelastic Prof. dr. ir. Steven De Meester has a master's in bioscience engineering and a Ph.D. related to the prospective sustainability assessment of technologies.…”