Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging has been used to investigate the fl
ow of 0.2% aqueous solutions of xanthan gum. Apparent slip was observe
d in solutions made from the material supplied by UNAM but not in that
supplied by Aldrich or Kelco. The apparent slip velocity was a consta
nt fraction of the maximal velocity for a given contraction ratio. The
apparent slip velocity also appeared to be independent of L/D but was
strongly influenced by the wall stress, the observed apparent slip ve
locities being comparable with those determined using the Mooney analy
sis on capillary flows. After exposure to the action of a syringe pump
, which reduced the mean molecular weight of the xanthan, the UNAM xan
than solution no longer exhibited apparent slip. Slip appears to be a
function of molecular weight, possibly through sensitivity to the aspe
ct ratio of the molecule. (C) 1996 Society of Rheology.