Brookfield R-S-SST Rheometer User Manual

BROOKFIELD

Operation Manual

R/S SST2000

Soft Solid Tester

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BROOKFIELD

Operating The SST2000 Soft Solids Tester

Running a sample using software control

1. In Measure/Analysis click Load Program File and select the required test method.

2. Centre the sample on the base plate and fix in place with the clamps.

3. Lower the instrument head by pushing down on the “periscope handles” so that the vane enters the sample to the required depth.

4. Click Start, enter the required filename for the results and click OK.

5. Enter any other details relating to batch numbers, customer, operator etc. and click OK.

The measurement will start.

Standard graphing functions and results overlay procedures are covered in the Rheo2000 software manual and the onboard Help file.

Soft Solids Analysis Functions

Clicking on Soft Solids Analysis opens the analysis functions for soft solids testing.

The Soft Solids Analysis Functions enable the quantification of properties of tested materials using regression analyses and peak-value identifications:

Yield / Modulus

The peak value within the data range is reported as Yield Point values for Stress and Torque. The Strain and Angular Displacement at the yield point are also reported.

A regression is performed on the range defined in Configuration and the gradient of the stress vs. strain curve is reported as Modulus. The regression coefficient, B, and the standard deviation, S, is also reported.

Creep

Two regressions are performed on the creep data to obtain:

Instantaneous Response: A regression is performed on the range defined in Configuration to obtain values for instantaneous Compliance, Strain and angular Displacement.

Viscous Response: A regression is performed on the range defined in Configuration to obtain Creep Viscosity. The intercept on the y axis (strain, Displacement or Compliance) is then divided by the maximum value (last data point) of the creep curve to obtain Elastic Index

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Configuration

Modulus: The upper and lower limits of the range for the modulus regression is defined here as percentages of the peak value. A typical range is 20% to 70% but these should be altered to accommodate longer or shorter linear regions.

Creep: The number of points for the regressions for Instantaneous Response and Viscous Response are entered here. Typical values are 5 points and 20 points respectively.

Running a sample in Stand-Alone mode.

Running a one-off test

1. When flashing cursor is on Run Single press OK.

2. Select the measuring system in use

3. Scroll the cursor down to the selected test method: Yield Test or Creep Test.

For Yield Test:

4. Set Rate (rotational rate in rpm), Nr. Of MP (the number of measuring points to be taken) and Time (the total time of the test).

5. Input any required identification for the data file eg batch number, operator etc. and press OK

6. Press ST to Start the test.

The display will then show the current and peak values for stress (in Pascals) and torque (in milliNewtonmetres):

For a Creep Test:

4. Set Stress (the applied stress in Pascals), Nr. Of MP (the number of measuring points to be taken) and Time (the total time of the test).

5. Input any required identification for the data file eg batch number, operator etc. and press OK

6. Press ST to Start the test

The display will then show the Angular Position and Instantaneous Angle (in milliradians), Time (in seconds) and Creep Rate (in milliradians per second):

Stress (Pa): 00000 Peak: 00000

orque (mNm): 00.00

ngle (mrad): 0000

Inst. Angle: 0000

ime (s): 0000

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