This study investigates the rheological behavior of ring-linear polymer blends under uniaxial elongational flow, focusing on the stress overshoot phenomenon. A distribution-robust theoretical framework is developed, predicting a threshold entanglement number Z_th = 4.14 ± 0.25, aligning with molecular dynamics simulation results.
Key findings
The stress overshoot phenomenon in ring-linear polymer blends is linked to a threshold entanglement number Z.
A lattice model Hamiltonian approach with distribution-robust statistical analysis was developed.
The mean-field theory predicts a threshold entanglement number Z_th = 4.14 ± 0.25, in agreement with MD simulation results.
The distribution-robust estimators show superior stability against parameter variations and disorder.
Limitations & open questions
The mean-field approximation may neglect fluctuations near the critical point.
The model uses simplified phenomenological parameters rather than first-principles calculations.