The rheological characteristics of branched polymers

as well as the effects of molecular structure and temperature on them

were reviewed in this paper. The molecular structure with long branches distinctly slows the relaxation process of macromolecules

which have been observed from their shear-softening and the elongation-hardening behaviors. Furthermore. the time-temperature superposition principle was reported invalid in this case

and the temperature dependence of rheological behaviors also displayed certain complexity. Although the modified reptation theory and the coupling model were able to explain some experimental results

the defects of them could exist. As a consequence

the rheological behaviors of branched polymers still need to be further understood by some systematic investigations.