Structuring of polymer blends in simple shear flow

A simplified model for the formation of steady state structure of discrete domains in polymer blends is established for simple shear flow. It is assumed that the domain size distribution, which results from an equilibrium between breakup processes and coalescence processes, may be divided in small and stable spherical domains and large and unstable ellipsoidal domains. Based on simplified rate balances and an expression for domain deformation rate the volume fraction of large domains and the large and small semiaxes of the ellipsoids are expressed as functions of volume fraction and shear rate/shear stress. The ability of the model to simulate actual behaviour is tested against quantitative…