The effect of thermal degradation on the non-newtonian viscosity of an aqueous polyacrylamide solution

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of thermal degradation on the non-Newtonian viscosity of a dilute polymer solution by measuring the viscosity at a reference temperature before and after heating the solution with different heating temperatures and duration. The test solution was a polyacrylamide (Separan AP-273) 1,000 wppm solution in distilled water. The effect of thermal degradation on the viscosity was greater at relatively low shear rates than at intermediate and high shear rates. The viscosity of the polyacrylamide solution experienced at a relatively high temperature decreased more than that experienced at a relatively low temperature. In addition, the effect of thermal degradation on the viscosity of the polyacrylamide solution showed a strong dependence on the duration of heating.