ISSN:
1435-1528
Keywords:
non-Newtonian rheoloy
;
kinetic theory
;
FENE dumbbells
;
non-equilibrium
;
molecular dynamics
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract We report non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of rigid and non-rigid dumbbell fluids to determine the contribution of internal degrees of freedom to strain-rate-dependent shear viscosity. The model adopted for non-rigid molecules is a modification of the finitely extensible nonlinear elastic (FENE) dumbbell commonly used in kinetic theories of polymer solutions. We consider model polymer melts — that is, fluids composed of rigid dumbbells and of FENE dumbbells. We report the steady-state stress tensor and the transient stress response to an applied Couerte strain field for several strain rates. We find that the rheological properties of the rigid and FENE dumbbells are qualitatively and quantitatively similar. (The only exception to this is the zero strain rate shear viscosity.) Except at high strain rates, the average conformation of the FENE dumbbells in a Couette strain field is found to be very similar to that of FENE dumbbells in the absence of strain. The theological properties of the two dumbbell fluids are compared to those of a corresponding fluid of spheres which is shown to be the most non-Newtonian of the three fluids considered.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00366792
Permalink