Rheometer

About: Rheometer is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 5759 publications have been published within this topic receiving 125849 citations.

A high-shear, low Reynolds number microfluidic rheometer

Abstract: We present a microfluidic rheometer that uses in situ pressure sensors to measure the viscosity of liquids at low Reynolds number. Viscosity is measured in a long, straight channel using a PDMS-based microfluidic device that consists of a channel layer and a sensing membrane integrated with an array of piezoresistive pressure sensors via plasma surface treatment. The micro-pressure sensor is fabricated using conductive particles/PDMS composites. The sensing membrane maps pressure differences at various locations within the channel in order to measure the fluid shear stress in situ at a prescribed shear rate to estimate the fluid viscosity. We find that the device is capable to measure the viscosity of both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids for shear rates up to 104 s−1 while keeping the Reynolds number well below 1.

Simultaneous measurement of viscoelastic changes and cell opening during processing of flexible polyurethane foam

Abstract: A parallel-plate rheomete was constructed and used to study the development of dynamic shear modulus and cell opening under forced adiabatic conditions for a series of flexible slabstock polyurethane foams. Typical industrial formulations were used. The plates were heated to follow the adiabatic temperature profile of a real foam bun during foaming. The rheometer overcomes difficulties encountered in other methods such as heat loss and bubble damage caused by the probe.

Rheological studies of two component high build epoxy and polyurethane based high performance coatings

Abstract: The work presented in this article involves the study of rheometric profile of several rheological additives in two-component (2K) high build epoxy zinc phosphate primer and two-component high build aliphatic polyurethane topcoat. Viscosity profile and thixotropic behavior at different shear rates have been determined for both the paints using Physica MCR 301 Rheometer of Anton Paar. The valuable information derived from these measurements led to better insight into the influence of these rheological additives on important paint properties like flow and leveling, sag control, in-can settling during storage, etc. Rheometric results were also compared with the results obtained during the actual application of these experimental coatings on mild steel panels. From the rheological study it was concluded that the thickeners based on surface-modified clay and organically modified castor oil derivative work well in epoxy zinc phosphate primer whereas polyurea-based thickener showed better results than other rheological additives in the case of the 2K polyurethane system. Measurement of low shear and high shear viscosity response of different thickeners helps in predicting storage and application behavior of these coatings which correlates well with the actual observation.

Rheological and solid wall boundary condition characterization of unvulcanized elastomers and their compounds

Abstract: An extensive fundamental investigation of the rheological properties and solid wall boundary condition shear stress of elastomers and elastomer–carbon black compounds has been carried out. The elastomers were an emulsion butadiene–styrene copolymer (SBR 1500) and a polybutadiene. Shear flow rheological properties were measured using a newly designed sandwich rheometer, in both constant shear rate and creep modes as well as in a capillary rheometer. A constant elongation rate rheometer for elastomers was developed. Stress relaxation measurements were also carried out in the sandwich rheometer. The shear viscosity of the gum elastomers exhibits a constant very high shear zero viscosity (8 × 108 Pa.s for SBR 1500 at 100°C) and decreases with increasing shear rate. The compounds exhibit yield values of similar magnitude to carbon black compounds of molten plastics. Only the SBR 1500 and its compounds were studied in the elongational flow mode. It was not possible to achieve a steady state in these experiments. An apparatus for measurement of shear stress as a function of velocity (shear rate) at a specified pressure was developed. The instrument, which we call a friction tester, was used not only to determine wall shear stress but to investigate the regime of flow and potentially determine conditions for the onset of slip. Evidence of changing flow regimes were found, and the implications discussed.

Development of an in-line rheometer suitable for reactive extrusion processes

Abstract: This paper presents the development of a novel in-line extrusion rheometer based on the flow of polymer through a wedge (vertically tapered slit). This rheometer is suitable for measuring changes in rheological properties on-line during reactive extrusion, because it can be used to estimate the viscosity for a range of shear rates without the need to change the polymer flow rate (i.e., extruder throughput). Equations have been developed to estimate the parameters of the power-law equation, used to describe the viscosity-shear rate relationship, from measurements of pressure drops along the wedge. An experimental in-line wedge rheometer has been built and used to measure the viscosity for a series of polypropylenes prepared via reactive extrusion. Viscosity measurements from the experimental in-line wedge rheometer are compared with measurements from a capillary rheometer. Good agreement is found between the capillary and wedge rheometer measurements.