A Rouse-like model of liquid crystalline polymer melts: Director dynamics and linear viscoelasticity

The linear viscoelastic properties of unentangled melts of nematic liquid crystalline polymers for a Rouse like model appropriate to unentangled chains with relatively flexible backbones were discussed. The limits of main chain directed polymers and anisotropic Gaussian polymers were considered. In fluids of these polymers the distribution of nematogen orientations relaxes rapidly to a state of local equilibrium, via local arrangements, which follows the slower evolution of the backbone conformation. The directed chains tumble in steady shear flow, and the anisotropic Gaussian chain flows align.