The stability of non-Newtonian jets was investigated. A linearized stability analysis shows that a liquid column of a viscoelastic fluid exhibits more rapid growth of axisymmetric wave disturbances than a Newtonian fluid of the same zero shear viscosity. This result is independent of the form of constitutive equation chosen. Experiments in weakly elastic fluids confirm this expectation, whereas data on fluids with more pronounced elastic properties indicate that non-linear phenomena are dominating. The disturbances appear as a series of droplets connected by random lengths of threads, which thin with distance and eventually lead to jet breakup. Even in dilute viscoelastic solutions, jet breakup does not occur by the growth of clearly defined waves.

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