The role of surface tension on the elastic decohesion of polymeric filaments

We simulate the rapid extension of polymeric filaments between parallel plates with special attention to the role of surface tension in the symmetry breaking aximuthal instability that may occur near the end plates. The instability is viewed as a precursor to the eventual elastic decohesion of the filament from the plate. It is demonstrated that high Deborah numbers are needed to initiate the instability and that surface tension provides a wavenumber selection. Moreover, the surface tension has a stabilising effect on the end plate instability.