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Phase changes during elongational flow of polymer solutions

Abstract

Protein solutions with a high content of keratin have a tendency to gel on standing. Recent results with synthetic polymers have shown that a shear field can generate the same phenomenon, even in solutions that do not gel at rest. We report here that in a strong elongation flow field, a gel can be induced in polymer solutions that do not gel at rest, or even in a shear field. This throws light on the process of fibre formation by the wet, dry or melt processes, and in addition, gives a possible explanation of the ability of the spider to hang from a freshly extruded thread.

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Ferguson, J., Hudson, N., Warren, B. et al. Phase changes during elongational flow of polymer solutions. Nature 325, 234–236 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/325234a0

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