Abstract
A mesoscopic rheological model is proposed for polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites. The conformation tensors c and a are chosen to characterize states of macromolecules and silicate layers (plates), respectively. In the absence of the plates, the model reduces to the well known FENE-P model. The predictions of the model are shown to agree with thermodynamics. Other predictions of the model, obtained by solving numerically its governing equations, are responses of the suspension to transient (start-up and relaxation) and steady shear flows. The results show that the model predictions cover a wide range of the rheological behavior generally observed for polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
