A DISCUSSION OF SHEAR-THICKENING IN BEAD-SPRING MODELS

Numerical calculations using a bead-spring model with consistently averaged hydrodynamic interaction and finitely extensible springs are shown to predict shear-thickening for dilute polymer solutions. An approximation to the model developed by Öttinger and co-workers enabled the extension of the calculations to large N, where N is the number of beads in a polymer chain without the need for excessive computer time. The potential roles of hydrodynamic interaction, finite extensibility of the springs and flow kinematics in the appearance of shear-thickening in the model are discussed in detail. © 1990.