Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.79, No.3, 396-405, 2001
Rheology of cellulosic N-methylmorpholine oxide monohydrate solutions of different degrees of polymerization
Preparation and shear and elongational rheology of cellulose solutions of different degrees of polymerization (DP) in N-methylmorpholine oxide monohydrate (lyocell) were investigated. The dissolution process takes place in two stages, depending on the content of low and high DP fractions from the dissolving pulp blends. The influence of the DP of cellulosic chains on elongational and shear viscosity is greater at low deformation rates. Low DP solutions behave more like viscous fluids and the increase of the chain length brings about an increase of the elastic component. Orientation induced by the convergence flow is enhanced by the higher DP cellulosic chains.
Keywords:cellulose solution;n-methylmorpholine oxide monohydrate solvent;cellulose dissolution;degree of polymerization;elongational viscosity;shear viscosity;dynamic moduli;Trouton ratio;flow orientation