The newtonian shear viscosity of concentrated polymer solutions

Abstract The rheology of concentrated polymer solutions shows a remarkable correspondence with that of polymer melts, but is more complicated due to a new parameter: the concentration of the polymer. The literature shows evidence that the viscosity of concentrated solutions is roughly proportional to the 5th power of the polymer concentration. The effects of concentration and temperature on the viscosity of polymer solutions, however, cannot be treated separately, since they are interrelated. The solvent has a dual effect on the polymer: it decreases the glass transition temperature and hence lowers the activation energy of viscous flow. Furthermore the solvent exerts a real dilution effect, causing the viscosity to fall between that of a polymer melt and that of the pure solvent at the temperature concerned.