Rheology Testing (Allentown Lab)

Rheology labs, such as Intertek, determine the rheological  properties for determining molding parameters, evaluating material performance, and other applications. The rheological characterization of materials, including polymers, liquids, adhesives and other sample types, can be conductedusing a wide range of shear and extensional conditions. This data can be used for many purposes including: quality assurance, product development, and to develop a better understanding of material performance.

Understanding the rheological (flow) properties of a polymer helps determine optimized material properties during the molding process. Rheology testing can determine if materials are processed properly with minimal product degradation. The testing can also measure the viscosity of a polymer by performing single point tests to variable tests.

Let Intertek help you optimize your products and process conditions, thereby saving you costs and minimizing potential waste.

Solid Sample Types:

• Polymer plaques
• Polymer pellets
• Elastomers
• Rubbers
• Fibers
• Films
• Composites
• Thermoplastics
• Thermosets
• Molded articles
• Adhesives

Fluid Sample Types:

• Oils
• Dispersions
• Emulsions
• Solutions
• Slurries
• Resins
• Lotions
• Polymer melts
• GreasesSauces (food)

Types of Rheological tests:

• Frequency sweeps
• Temperature ramps
• Creep (flow under a given force or stress) and creep recovery
• Stress relaxation (change in force for a given deformation)
• Melt state viscosity
• Shear rate sweeps (for liquid and lower viscosity samples)

Many of these techniques fall under the umbrella of Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA).  These DMA tests often provide a mechanical fingerprint for a material. 

DMA can determine properties such as:

• Tg and breadth of Tg
• Secondary transitions
• Crosslink density
• Viscoelastic nature
• Dynamic moduli
• Cure properties
• Master curves
• Dynamic viscosity

Contact our experts to discuss the most relevant way to use rheology for your application.  Ultimately, possessing a better understanding about your material’s properties will enable you to proceed towards the creation of a product with improved performance.