Polymer conformations and hysteretic stresses in nonstationary flows of polymer solutions

Abstract

The low Reynolds number flow of a polymer solution around a cylinder engenders a nonlinear drag force vs. the flow velocity. A velocity quench of such a flow gives rise to a long time relaxation and hysteresis of the stress due to history-dependent elastic effects. Our results suggest that such hysteretic behavior has its origin in the long time relaxation dynamics and hysteresis of the polymer conformations. Show more