A generalized correlation for the viscosity of dextrans in aqueous solutions as a function of temperature, concentration, and molecular weight at low shear rates

An expression relating the viscosity of dextran solutions to polymer concentration (c), molecular weight (M), and temperature (T) has been derived from experimental data in the following ranges: 5 < c < 25% (wt/wt), 298.2 < T < 363.2 K, and 71,500 < M < 531,000 g/mol. The experimental work was based on capillary viscosimeters. Thermodynamic data (entropy and energy of activation for the viscous flow of a Newtonian fluid) are also presented as a function of polymer concentration for the three molecular weights studied. This thermodynamic analysis suggests that dextrans in aqueous solutions behave as flexible polymers. Application of our expression to existing viscosity data for ethylene/vinylacetate copolymers in paraffin has resulted in improved goodness of fit with respect to established correlations.