A NOVEL X-RAY RHEOMETER FOR IN-SITU STUDIES OF POLYMER MELTS AND SOLUTIONS DURING SHEAR-FLOW

A novel X-ray rheometer based on a parallel plate geometry is describe d. This system allows time-resolved X-ray scattering intensity data to be obtained from polymeric samples subjected to shear flow. The range of quantitative structural parameters, such as molecular orientation and interchain correlations, which can be obtained from the data is hi ghlighted. Examples of the utility of X-ray scattering in examining op tically opaque samples and the extraction of [P2] and [P4] orientation parameters are given using anisotropic hydroxypropylcellulose solutio ns as the sample.