UNIVERSALITY IN POLYMER VISCOELASTICITY

This paper brings together seven aspects of universality in viscoelasticity of linear flexible polymers: (1) the stress relaxation modulus G(t) being a universal function of the normalized molecular weight (MW), M/M(e); (2) the MW dependence of the zero shear viscosity; (3) the MW dependence of the steady state compliance; (4) the MW dependence of the diffusion constant; (5) the damping functions; (6) slip-stick melt fracture being a universal phenomenon; and (7) the number of entanglement strands per cubed entanglement distance being a universal constant. As presented in the text, the consistency, agreement and relation among these different aspects of universality can be properly brought to light.