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The aim of the present work was to examine the effect of the rheological behavior of polymer liquids on the kinetics of the sintering process between two drops of the same liquid put in close vicinity of a solid surface. Nine samples of three different natures have been used:  three poly(dimetylsiloxane)s (PDMS) of various viscosities, two polybutenes (PB) of different viscosities and four Boger fluids. The sintering experiments were carried out with a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) substrate at room temperature. The surface tension of the samples was measured with the sessile drop method and the sintering process was captured by a CCD camera and the variation in time of the neck radius during was compared to Bellehumeur et al. model. The effects of viscosity, surface tension and relaxation time are discussed.

online firstInternational audienceThe aim of the present work is to examine the effect of the rheological behaviour and surface properties on the sintering of various polymers. Model polymers, liquid at room temperature and commercials materials with different viscosities and structures are used. Zero-shear viscosities and relaxation times are extracted from rheological curves. The surface tension of the materials is measured by the sessile drop method when possible. The sintering of two particles put in close vicinity is recorded using a CCD camera at regular intervals time. Two substrates with different surface tension are employed. The effects of viscosity, surface tension and relaxation time on the sintering kinetics are discussed