抄録
The flow rate balance of viscoelastic fluids through a branching channel with two exits, which were different in width, was studied. Numerical simulations of the viscoelastic flow in branching channels were carried out by the stream-upwind finite element method. The Giesekus model with a single relaxation time was used for a constitutive equation. The Carreau model which was one of generalized Newtonian models was also used in order to separate the contribution of elasticity. The shear-thinning property in viscosity causes the increase in the ratio of the flow rate in the wider slit to the total flow rate with increasing flow rate. Furthermore, the stretch-thickening property in elongational viscosity promotes the tendency. Therefore, for viscoelastic fluids, both the shear viscosity and the elongational viscosity affect the flow rate balance.
