Flow-induced birefringence of linear and long chain-branched metallocene polyethylene melts subject to steady start-up flow

Optical birefringence induced during steady start-up shear flow of linear and long chain-branched metallocene linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) melts, and their blends, were investigated at 200 degrees C. Experiments were performed on a high temperature shearing cell, with a pair of parallel quartz plate windows, mounted on a rheometrics optical analyser which employs a rapid polarisation modulation technique for optical anisotropy measurements. The influence of long chain branching (LCB) on chain orientation and stretch were examined at a constant molecular weight (Mw) and molecular weight distribution (MWD), in terms of the amount of non-linear transient response (stress overshoots) and the steady-state value of the flow-induced birefringence of these polymers. Stress overshoots (hence molecular stretch) were found to occur at lower rates in polymers containing LCB than in linear polymers. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.