Solution (source code)

= Solution

Setting $\alpha=0$ gives the <Upper-convected Maxwell model>
$$
\boldsymbol\tau+\lambda
\overset{\triangledown}{\boldsymbol\tau}
=\eta\dot{\boldsymbol\gamma}.
$$
In steady incompressible uniaxial extension of rate $\dot\epsilon$, its tensile and transverse stresses give
$$
\eta_E
=\frac{\tau_{zz}-\tau_{xx}}{\dot\epsilon}
=\frac{2\eta}{1-2\lambda\dot\epsilon}
+\frac{\eta}{1+\lambda\dot\epsilon}.
$$
The <extensional viscosity> rises above the <Trouton ratio> value $3\eta$ and diverges at $\lambda\dot\epsilon=1/2$, the ideal model's extensional catastrophe. An extensional rheometer can locate that rapid growth and estimate $\lambda\simeq1/(2\dot\epsilon_c)$. More robustly, impose a small deformation, stop the flow, and fit the exponential stress decay $\tau\propto e^{-t/\lambda}$.