On the stability of the torsional flow of a class of Oldroyd-type fluids

It is shown that the exact solution of the torsional flow of a class of Oldroyd-type fluids is kinematically similar to that for a Newtonian fluid. Furthermore, it is shown by a linearized stability analysis and by numerical integration, that the basic flow is unstable at high Weissenberg numbers. An Oldroyd fluid which has a negative second-normal stress coefficient is found to be more stable than one with zero (or positive) second-normal stress coefficient in this flow.