Normal stress measurements

An apparatus designed to measure the dynamic viscoelastic response of polymer melts is described. Dynamic elasticity (G) and viscosity () can be measured over a frequency range 10^–2-10^–3 Hz and at temperatures up to 350 °C. The sample under test is held in a cone and plate assembly. A small strain is introduced by driving the plate with a variable speed synchronous motor and off-centre cam at low frequencies and by an electromagnetic vibrator at high frequencies. The amplitudes of the cone and plate are detected using the optical lever principle and photocell strips. The phase difference between the cone and plate is measured from a recorder trace at low frequencies and by direct reading on a meter at high frequencies.Results are described of measurements on silicone fluids, and on commercial grades of polyethylene with different molecular weight distributions and degrees of branching.A discussion is given of the correlation between the dynamic viscosity measurements and those taken under steady-flow conditions.Paper presented at the Conference on Experimental Rheology, University of Bradford, April 17–19, 1968. — Original paper published in J. Sci. Instruments Series 2,1, 1102–1112 (1968).