The surface tension of viscous polymers

Abstract

Abstract A procedure is described for measuring the surface tension of polymeric liquids whose bulk viscosity is at least 1500 times that of glycerol. The procedure is based on the determination of the force necessary to separate two spheres held in contact by the test liquid. A series of silicones was examined. Following a relatively sharp rise in surface tension for the lower members, the rate of increase in surface tension with bulk viscosity is extremely small and seems to be approaching a constant value.