Convergence of the equations for a Maxwell fluid

The equations for the flow of a viscoelastic fluid of the Maxwell type are analyzed in a linear approximation. First, we establish that the solution d epends continuously on changes in the relaxation time. Next, we investigate how the solution to the linearized Maxwell system converges to the solutio n to Stokes flow as the relaxation time tends to zero. Convergence in diffe rent measures is examined and specific a priori bounds are derived.