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Article
Correlation of Polysiloxane Molecular Structure to Shear-Thinning Power-Law Exponent Using Elastohydrodynamic Film Thickness Measurements
Journal of Tribology
  • Thomas J. Zolper, University of Akron Main Campus
  • Paul Shiller
  • Gary Doll
  • Manfred Jungk
  • Tobin J. Marks
  • Yip Wah Chung
  • Aaron Greco
  • Babak Lotfizadeh Dehkordi, University of Akron Main Campus
  • Qian Wang
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-15-2015
Abstract

Siloxane-based polymers (polysiloxanes) are susceptible to temporary shear-thinning that manifests as a reduction of elastohydrodynamic film thickness with increasing entrainment speed or effective shear rate. The departure from Newtonian film thickness can be predicted with the power-law exponent ns, an indicator of the severity of shear-thinning in a polymeric fluid that is influenced by the macromolecular structure. In this paper, a combination of extant rheological and tribological models is applied to determine the power-law exponent of several polysiloxanes using film thickness measurements. Film thickness data at several temperatures and slide-to-roll ratios are used to validate the methodology for several siloxane-based polymers with alkyl and aryl branches.

Citation Information
Thomas J. Zolper, Paul Shiller, Gary Doll, Manfred Jungk, et al.. "Correlation of Polysiloxane Molecular Structure to Shear-Thinning Power-Law Exponent Using Elastohydrodynamic Film Thickness Measurements" Journal of Tribology Vol. 137 Iss. 3 (2015) p. 031503 - 031503
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/gary_doll/1/