Comparison of squeeze flow and vane rheometry for yield stress and viscous fluids

Two principal squeeze flow modes are investigated for yield stress and Newtonian materials squeezed by a constant force, F, between plates of equal or unequal diameters. In mode A, the material fills the space between the plates and is extruded at their periphery as their separation decreases. Experiments are described to measure the contribution to F from the extrudate. In mode B, all the material remains in contact with the planes of the plates as their separation decreases; there is no extrudate. The results of mode B experiments agree closely with the predictions of theory and give rheological parameters in fair agreement with those measured by the rotational vane method. The material properties and extrusion behaviour which complicate mode A experiments are discussed.