Polymer conformations and hysteretic stresses in nonstationary flows of polymer solutions

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Published 18 May 2009 Europhysics Letters Association
, , Citation N. François et al 2009 EPL 86 34002 DOI 10.1209/0295-5075/86/34002

0295-5075/86/3/34002

Abstract

The low Reynolds number flow of a polymer solution around a cylinder engenders a nonlinear drag force vs. the flow velocity. A velocity quench of such a flow gives rise to a long time relaxation and hysteresis of the stress due to history-dependent elastic effects. Our results suggest that such hysteretic behavior has its origin in the long time relaxation dynamics and hysteresis of the polymer conformations.

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10.1209/0295-5075/86/34002