The viscosity of aqueous solution of polyethylene oxide(M. W. 3.54×<10>^6) was determined within the shear stress range of 0.2-20 dyn/<cm>^2 at the capillary wall at several temperatures(15-50℃). Measurements were carried out with a Maron-Belner type low shear capillary viscometer with various capillary radii(0.017-0.050cm).
The viscosity of the solution shows a capillary bore size dependence and a non-Newtonian flow behavior. The viscosity decreased with increasing the capillary bore size in shear stresses below 10 dyn/<cm>^2, while the opposite relation appeared in higher shear stresses at 50℃. The bore size dependence of viscosity showed to be promoted with an increase in temperature.
The results were discussed by Ree-Eyring's flow formula for a solution system of high polymers. It was found that the change in viscosity of the polymer solution with capillary bore sizes attributed to viscoelastic behavior of polyethylene oxide which adsorbed and/or orientated at the capillary wall.