Elongational rheometry and processing of filled polyethylene melts

A scientific approach to the design of polymer processing operations requires a basic understanding of the rheological behaviour of polymer melts. Since elongational flow has a significant role in many commercially important polymer processes such as fibre spinning, film blowing, and blow moulding, the Rutherford Elongational Rheometer (RER) at Loughborough University was designed to measure the flow behaviour of polymer melts in a uniaxial elongational mode. Modifications have been made to the apparatus and suitable experimental and. sample preparation techniques have been developed to determine some elongational flow characteristics of polymer melts, including stress-strain behaviour, viscosity, rupture, and elasticity. [Continues.]