Irregularities in steady flow for non-newtonian fluids between cone and plate

Abstract

Flow irregularities have been visually observed in solutions of polyacrylamide of high molecular weight on shear in a cone-and-plate rheometry (gap angle 2.3°). This anomalous flow was found to depend on molecular weight, concentration, and solvent. The onset of flow irregularities were generally at shear rates < 5 sec−1. A dimensional analysis shows that the elastic component of the fluid is responsible for the anomalous flow. The onset of flow irregularities has been predicted from measurements of recoverable strain as a function of shear stress.