POLYMER-SOLUTIONS AND CHEMICAL-REACTIONS UNDER FLOW - A THERMODYNAMICDESCRIPTION

The influence of mechanical stresses on polymer solutions and chemical reactions is examined. It is shown that the presence of a flow raises the Gibbs free energy. As a consequence, one observes in polymer solu tions a shift of the critical point with respect to quiescent situatio ns and in chemical reactions, a modification of the value of the chemi cal constant. The analysis is based on a recent theory of nonequilibri um thermodynamics known as extended irreversible thermodynamics.