Rheology is the study of how matter deforms in both the solid state and the melt state. Does your polymer or plastic product bend or deform unpredictably? Our scientists utilize rheology to help pinpoint solutions to many challenges relating to polymer and plastics. PDI offers real-world solutions regarding rheology to everyday performance problems.
If your plastic or polymer product is deforming, changing shape, or not meeting standards and specifications for processing/performance, we can identify the properties of the material and explain its performance. Polymer Diagnostics has experienced rheology scientists dedicated to solving your toughest polymer concerns.
Polymer Viscoelasticity
Viscoelastic techniques characterize the relative importance of elastic (solid-like) and viscous (liquid-like) response components in describing polymer behavior. The deformation response of a polymer to applied stress or load is defined, and the architecture of the polymer chains can be determined.
Applications:
- Performance prediction/molding
- Performance life prediction (time-temperature super position)
- Molecular weight/branching
- Melt viscosity
- Dynamic mechanincal properties (Tg, Tm, Structure, etc.)
- Phase changes
- Shrinkage/dimensional stability
- Stress growth and relaxation
- Cure kinetics
- Energy dissipation
- Blend compatibility
- Gelation and fusion of plastisols
- Stability
- Compressive creep/creep recovery
Polymer Viscosity
Knowledge of polymer viscosity can be critical to understanding flow of melts and solutions in processing equipment and for the proper design of this equipment.
Applications:
- Melt viscosity (temperature & shear rate dependent)
- Thermal stability
- Die swell
- Lubrication/slip analysis
- Polymer fusion, heat/shear history
- Rheometry (data for die design)
- Powder compaction
- Processing characteristics
For additional information please contact us.