| Accuracy | 1% of maximum value |
| Maximum torque | 150 mNm |
| Torque Resolution | 0.01 µNm |
| Speed Range | 10-4 to 1000 min-1 |
| Shear Rate Range | 1.3*10-4 to 4.8*103 s-1 |
| Shear Stress Range | 0.001 to 512 Pa |
| Viscosity Range | 1.7*10-3 to 2.7*108 Pa*s |
| Temperature Range | −40 to 150 °C |
| Volume | 8 or 12 ml* |
| *Volume dependant on gap size | |
We have developed a RHEO-SANS device capable of simultaneously probing the shear rheology and the material microstructure. It consists of a Couette type flow cells that has been designed to fit into a commercial rheometer. Quartz and Titanium made Couette cell are used with the inner concentric cylinders rotating while the outer is stationary. The geometry of the Couette cell allows neutron scattering experiments to be performed under conditions that range from the so-called radial configuration, where the incident neutron beam is parallel to the velocity gradient, to the tangential configuration, where the incident neutron beam is parallel to the flow direction. Structural information along the gradient-vorticity and flow-vorticity planes can then be probed, leading to a complete microstuctural characterization.
Many different rheological tests can be performed while simultaneously collecting neutron scattering data. These tests include simple shear flow either at constant shear stress or constant shear rate, creep and creep recovery as well as amplitude oscillatory shear deformation. Time-dependent (such as oscillatory and flow start-up) fields can be generated and studied, but these rquire advanced neutron scattering techniques and long neutron scattering collection times.
Couette cells with gaps of 0.5 or 1mm are available and can operate at temperatures ranging from −40°C to 150°C with a solvent trap preventing sample evaporation. The technical specifications are listed to the right. A new small volume cell (~ 4ml) is currently under design.
Recent publications that used the rheometer:
Recent posters outlining the workings and science related to the rheometer:
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Last modified 12-July-2007