Theory of Shear‐Thickening in Transient Networks of Associating Polymers

Summary: Shear‐thickening phenomena observed in thermo‐reversible gels of telechelic associating polymers are theoretically studied on the basis of the transient network model. Non‐linear tension due to over‐stretching of the middle chain leads to thickening, if the coupling constant g of the end‐chain dissociation rate to the middle chain tension fulfills a certain condition. We give the condition for thickening in terms of the molecular parameters.The thickening phase diagram: The region below each curve leads to thickening, whereas the region above the curve causes thinning for each molecular weight.