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Rheometers for Rubbers and Polymers

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Moving Die Rheometer

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Capillary Rheometer

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Torgue Rheometer

Rheometer - applications

A rheometer is a laboratory instrument that measures how plastics flow and deform when exposed to heat, pressure, and shear. Because plastics must be melted and shaped during manufacturing, understanding their rheological behavior is essential to ensure smooth processing and consistent product quality.

The processing and performance of rubbers and polymers depend strongly on their rheological properties — the way they deform and flow under applied forces. Rheometers are precision instruments designed to measure these properties under well-controlled conditions. Different types of rheometers are optimized for different materials and applications.

Below are the main rheometers relevant to rubbers and plastics, their working principles, and typical uses.

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1. Moving Die Rheometer (MDR-A)

Principle: A rubber specimen is placed in a sealed, heated cavity. One die oscillates at small angles while torque is measured as the rubber cures.

Measured parameters:

Minimum torque (compound viscosity)

Maximum torque (crosslink density)

Scorch time and optimum cure time

Cure rate index

Applications:

Quality control in rubber compounding

Development of vulcanization systems

Research into crosslinking and curing kinetics

Strengths: Industry standard for vulcanization characterization (ISO 6502, ASTM D5289). Essential for rubber industry testing, particularly for compound development and QC.

2. Capillary Rheometer

Principle: A polymer melt is forced through a narrow capillary die under controlled piston speed or pressure. Pressure drop vs. flow rate yields viscosity and flow curves.

Measured parameters:

Shear viscosity vs. shear rate

Melt flow stability

Entrance pressure loss and die swell

Applications:

Characterization of polymer melts under high shear rates (extrusion, injection molding)

Quality control for thermoplastics

Research into processing stability, additives, fillers

Strengths: Simulates industrial processing conditions, capable of very high shear rates.

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3. Torque Rheometer

Principle: Functions like a small-scale mixer or extruder. Polymers or rubbers are processed in a mixing chamber or extruder, and torque is measured during compounding

Measured parameters:

Processing torque vs. time

Specific energy consumption

Melt viscosity during mixing

Thermal and shear stability

Applications:

Simulation of mixing and extrusion conditions

Studying additives, stabilizers, and fillers

Processability evaluation for both rubbers and thermoplastics

Strengths: Bridges the gap between laboratory testing and real industrial processing.

Provides processing-oriented rheology, complementing MDR and capillary tests.

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online telephone / video call support

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Capillary Rheometer

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