Extensional rheometry of model liquids: Simulations of filament stretching

Polymeric liquid bridges are known to fail during extension. This phenomenon of failure seemingly calls into question the operating principle of filament stretching rheometers. In these devices, a polymeric sample is initially placed between two plates. The sample is then stretched into a liquid bridge by moving the plates apart in a specified way. We here show that a steady extensional viscosity can be measured if the plates are separated in such a way that the stretch rate in the filament symmetry plane is kept constant, even for liquids highly prone to instability. Moreover, reliable measurements of the stress during a relaxation phase can be obtained as well. The conclusions are based on simulations for a number of constitutive equations, including the Newtonian liquid, the Oldroyd-B model, the differential non-stretch Rolie-Poly model, and the integral Doi-Edwards model with and without associated stretch relaxation dynamics.