Modified bead‐spring theory of polymer solutions. IV. Extension to polymer melts

A constitutive equation which has proven quite successful in describing the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of dilute polymer solutions is extended to the case of molten polymers. The techniques utilized and similar to those discussed by Ferry in a similar adaptation of the Rouse–Zimm Theory. The resulting model is found to quantitatively portray the shear rate dependence of the non‐Newtonian viscosity and primary normal stress functions and the frequency dependence of the storage and loss moduli. Extensional flow data reported by Spearot and Metzner for two polyethylenes are well described, using parameters calculated from steady shearing measurements. Of major significance is the ability of the model to account for influences of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and temperature.