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PUBLICATIONS

String Formation in Sheared Polymer Blends: Coalescence, Breakup and Finite Size Effects

Published

Author(s)

Kalman D. Migler

Abstract

We have discovered a droplet-string transition in concentrated polymer blends which occurs when the size of a dispersed droplet becomes comparable to the gap width between the shearing disks. The transition occurs over a shear rate interval of ~2% and proceeds via the coalescence of O(10E4) droplets in a four stage kinetic process. Once formed, the strings are stable and exhibit pronounced hysteresis. The droplet-string transition is a manifestation of the weakening of the Rayleigh-Tomatika instability due to finite size effects. Possible applications of this new morphology and processing strategy include ultra-thin materials of high one-dimensional strength, polymer blend wires, and novel polymeric scaffolds.
Citation
Physical Review Letters
Volume
No. 86
Issue
No. 6
Pub Type
Journals

Keywords

breakup, coalescence, droplet, emulsion, microscopy, polymer blend, shear, strings

Citation

Migler, K. (2001), String Formation in Sheared Polymer Blends: Coalescence, Breakup and Finite Size Effects, Physical Review Letters (Accessed April 26, 2024)

Created February 1, 2001, Updated February 17, 2017