Rheology of polymer blends: linear model for viscoelastic emulsions

Kerner's model for flow of composite elastic media is extended to an emulsi on of viscoelastic phases with interfacial tension undergoing deformations of small amplitude. A privileged internal structure inside the suspended dr ops is discussed in terms of fluid circulation across the interface. It is shown that for usual drop radius and interfacial tension values of emulsion s, the rheological behavior predicted by the model, with very simple expres sion for the complex shear modulus, is quantitatively similar to that predi cted by Palierne's model. Predictions of the model are compared with experi mental data obtained on a polystyrene/polyethylene blend sheared in a small -amplitude oscillatory mode.