Modular Compact Rheometer (MCR -102)

The modular compact rheometer (MCR-102) is a rotational-oscillatory shear rheometer is designed for a wide range of all possible kinds of rheological investigations such as measurement of all non-Newtonian, rheological and viscoelastic transport properties for a large range of zero-shear viscosities (from liquids like polyethylene glycol to high viscous liquids like resins). It is also possible to measure all above mentioned rheological operations against external field ambience of electric field [0-12KV] and magnetic fields [0-1.2T] with the attachment of electro-magneto rheological modules.

Technical specifications (in brief):

Application of the equipment/machine

Rheological studies of complex materials used in various industries (Coating, Pharma, Food…) are a challenging task which requires strong expertise. The measurement range and operating conditions are often limited due to the material structure (i.e., risk of denaturation) and the instrument used, which may require extrapolation and modulization of data. Rheometers are used to analyse the complex flow characteristics of materials by subjecting a sample to various types of stress, such as shear stress and deformation. Established rheometric instruments require various geometries to provoke changes in samples and determine the relationship between measured parameters (shear viscosity, elastic and viscous moduli, etc.) and applied force. These measurements require deep knowledge of rheology and fluid mechanics in order to perform high quality analysis. It is essential to properly adapt the geometry to the measured fluid properties and conditions.

Limitations of the equipment/machine

Some of the most important limitations are:

• Exposure to air:

All geometries are air-open. This can be dangerous for all such systems whose fumes are toxic or damage the reliability of the measurement; moreover, this renders it impossible to recover those precious samples, which, once exposed to the air, are irreversibly contaminated.

• Sample volume:

Relatively high amounts of sample volume are required, which, sometimes are not available or are very expensive.

• Deformation history:

Some materials present an intrinsic storage deformation, which will affect the measurement results and, thus, the measured properties. A shear motion, the so-called pre-shear, is applied to the material before the real measurement is run. It this way a fixed deformation is induced into the fluid and all the measurements will be characterized by the same deformation history. Anyway, this is an invasive procedure, which aims to change the starting state of the system.

• Torque values:

All rotational rheometers have technological upper limits, which allow investigating the oscillatory and shear dynamics of a material only at low and intermediate frequency and shear rate values. However, many parameters crucial to the understanding of the sample, development and process of a material, are shown in the high frequency region.