Tube Models for Branched Polymers

In Chapter 6, various versions the “tube” model were presented, which can predict the linear viscoelasticity of monodisperse and polydisperse linear polymers; i.e., polymers without long-chain branching (LCB). To be quantitatively accurate, these models need to include several mechanisms of polymer motion, namely: • Reptation • Primitive path fluctuations • Constraint release • Rouse relaxation within the tube