Evolution of the cluster size-distribution function for ostwald ripening in viscoelastic media

Abstract

In systems like glass-forming melts in the vicinity of the vitrification temperature or polymers, the elastic strains which evolve as a result of formation and growth of an ensemble of clusters may result in a partial or total inhibition of cluster growth and Ostwald ripening already in the absence of elastic interactions between the clusters.

Based on the Lifshitz—Slyozov theory the evolution of the cluster size distribution and related quantitites like the critical (Gibbs—Thomson) cluster size, average cluster size and number of clusters are estimated. It is shown that for the particular model of cluster growth in a viscoelastic body considered the Lifshitz—Slyozov asymptotic distribution goes over continuously into a time-independent deltafunction-like distribution, corresponding to a stable monodisperse distribution of clusters in the system.

Key Words:

• Ostwald ripening
• viscoelastic media