Shear-Induced Gelation and Fracture in Micellar Solutions

Abstract
By direct imaging of scattered light, we observe shear-induced gelation in extremely dilute solutions of wormlike micelles. This gelation is followed by a fracture of the gel which produces extremely elastic gel bands with recoverable strains of up to 5000%. The gelation and fracture account for the unusual shear-thickening and elastic properties of these solutions.