AbstractDuring the flow of high molecular weight, narrow‐, and broad‐distribution polybutadienes and polyisoprenes rheo‐optical measurements were conducted of extensional stresses acting along the flow axis in the preentrance and entrance regions of the duct and of their subsequent relaxation in the duct. The extensional stresses increase in the preentrance region, reach their maximum values at a distance of two or three tenths of the duct width from its edges, and then relax. The position of the maximum extensional stress is independent of polymer characteristics, shear stresses in the duct, and shape of the entrance and dimensions of the rectangular duct. The dependence of the maximum extensional stress on the shear stress of the duct wall can be assumed to be linear for small values. The length of the stress relaxation zone depends on the shear stress at the duct wall and the molecular mass distribution. It is independent of the molecular masses in narrow‐distribution polymers. For the polymers investigated, a generalized dependence was obtained for the reduced duct length over which the extensional stresses relax to zero from the reduced deformation rate. This dependence takes into account the characteristic polymer relaxation times and the value of the molecular mass of the chain between the fluctuation entanglement. A considerable decrease in the duct's length‐to‐width ratio leads to an increase in the maximum values of the extensional stresses. A decreases in the duct entrance angle causes a reduction in the rate of increase of extensional stresses, the maximum values, and the acceleration of the relaxation processes in the duct. A decrease in the ratio of the width of the preentrance region to the duct width leads to a reduction in the maximum in extensional stresses. It is shown that one of the causes for the instability of the polymer flow in the ducts can be the rupture of polymers due to their extension in the preentrance and entrance regions. Calculations were done that describe satisfactorily the relationship between the values of the maximum extensional stresses and the shear rate and stresses on th
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