Probing the Foundations of Tube Theory: Comparisons Between Model and Experimental Scalings for the Rheology of Linear Entangled Polymers

Bailly, Christian [UCL] Liu, Chen-Yang [Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing] Keunings, Roland [UCL]

Tube models have achieved spectacular success for predictions of the linear rheology of entangled polymers. Quantitative agreement has been achieved at the price of significant complexity increase as compared to the original de Gennes picture, but the models have retained their high internal coherence (only two fundamental scaling parameters, one for time and one for stress). However, very essential questions have yet to receive a fully satisfactory answer. We summarize in this paper recent findings about three issues : 1. the molecular weight dependence of the plateau modulus, 2. the molecular weight dependence of the terminal relaxation time and 3. the experimental evidence of monomer redistribution in the tube.