Abstract
Structural change of a polymer solution in a planer channel flow after an abrupt expansion have been investigated. Flow of 0.5wt% xanthan gum aqueous solution through 1:4 expansion channels with height of 1 mm and 0.2 mm has been tested. Distribution of birefringence and orientation angle at a center line of the channel were measured. Flow-induced birefringence and orientation angle after the expansion were depending on the channel height. Influence of elongational effect generated at the center region in height was disappeared in the case of small gap.
