Rheology

A rheometer measures how a material flows in response to applied forces. Viscoelastic materials show both solid and fluid characteristics, depending on temperature and loading speed applied. Measurements can be performed in a rotational or oscillatory, temperature controlled mode in order to determine properties such as viscosity, storage and loss modulus, creep and relaxation. Processes like curing, gelation or drying can also be studied using rheology. Furthermore, tribological properties of materials, such as friction coefficient, can be assessed.