Abstract
We present results for step-strain experiments and the resulting damping functions of polyethylene blends of different structures, including solutions of linear, star and comb polymers. Remarkably, an entangled melt of combs exhibits a damping function close to that for entangled linear chains. Diluting the combs with faster-relaxing material leads to a more nearly constant damping function. We find similar behavior for blends of commercial low density polyethylene LDPE. Our results suggest a simple picture: on timescales relevant to typical damping-function experiments, the rheologically active portions of our PE combs as well as commercial LDPE are essentially chain backbones. When strongly entangled, these exhibit the Doi-Edwards damping function; when diluted, the damping function tends toward the result for unentangled chains described by the Rouse model - namely, no damping.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3117-3136 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | Journal of Polymer Science, Part B: Polymer Physics |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 23 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2007 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry