Non-equilibrium modifications of the nuclear equation of state

Non-equilibrium modifications of the nuclear equation of state are assessed in the framework of Extended Irreversible Thermodynamics. The expected size of the non-equilibrium corrections to quantities like the nuclear-matter incompressibility K and the liquid-vapor critical temperature Tc are compared to the uncertainties associated at present with the usual equilibrium values. The quantitative estimates are obtained in situations characterized by a stationary planar shear flow of realistic magnitude, or by a stationary temperature gradient.