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

Abstract

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°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.