A constitutive equation derived from Lodge's network theory

Abstract A constitutive equation is presented, derived from Lodge's molecular network theory. The equation is of a form similar to the one presented previously by Carreau. The rate of creation of junctions and the probability of loss of junctions depend here also on the second invariant of the rate-of-strain tensor. The dependence, however, is through simple exponential functions, resulting in easy-to-use equations. Material functions are presented for the viscosity, the primary normal stress coefficient, the complex viscosity, the stress relaxation after cessation of steady simple shear, the stress growth after onset of steady simple shear and for elongational flow. The usefulness of the simplified (series truncated) equations is discussed and the model is evaluated with typical viscoelastic data.