1.

Overview of Rheometer Types

Type Key Principle Primary Applications
Measures viscosity by forcing a material through a
High-shear-rate processes (e.g., polymer extrusion,
Capillary Rheometer narrow capillary die and analyzing pressure drop
injection molding).
and flow rate.
Measures viscosity by applying rotational motion
Characterizing liquids, semi-solids, and soft solids
Rotational Rheometer to a sample and measuring torque and angular
across a wide range of shear rates.
velocity.
Applies oscillatory stress or strain to measure
Studying viscoelastic materials like polymers, gels, and
Oscillatory Rheometer viscoelastic properties (e.g., storage and loss
emulsions.
moduli).

Controlled Stress/Strain Applies a constant stress or strain and observes Evaluating yield stress, thixotropy, creep, and
Rheometer the material's deformation behavior. relaxation behavior.

2. Measurement Parameters
Oscillatory
Aspect Capillary Rheometer Rotational Rheometer
Rheometer

Only dynamic viscosity

Viscosity (η\etaη) High shear rates Low to medium shear rates
at specific frequencies

N/A (uses oscillatory

Shear Stress (τ\tauτ) Wall shear stress Torque-based calculation
stress)

Shear Rate (γ˙\dot{\ N/A (uses strain

Determined from flow rate through capillary Calculated from rotational speed
gamma}γ˙​) amplitude or frequency)

Measures elasticity
Storage Modulus (G′G'G′) Not measured Not measured
(solid-like behavior)

Measures viscosity
Loss Modulus (G′′G''G′′) Not measured Not measured
(liquid-like behavior)
3. Operating Conditions
Oscillatory
Aspect Capillary Rheometer Rotational Rheometer
Rheometer

High (102−106 s−110^2 - 10^6 \, \text{s}^{- Low to medium (10−3−103 s−110^{-3} - 10^3 \, \ N/A (frequency-
Shear Rates
1}102−106s−1) text{s}^{-1}10−3−103s−1) dependent oscillations)

Pressure High (requires pressure transducers) Low (ambient or controlled temperature environments) Low

Sample Size Larger (bulk samples needed) Small sample volumes Small sample volumes

Temperature Range High temperatures for melts Broad range, depending on geometry and material Broad range
4. Strengths and Limitations
Oscillatory
Aspect Capillary Rheometer Rotational Rheometer
Rheometer

Excellent for viscoelastic

Strengths Simulates high-shear industrial processes Versatile for flow behavior studies and time-dependent
behavior

Sensitive to changes in
High shear rate range Suitable for liquids, soft solids, and suspensions
material structure

Limited to oscillatory
Limitations Limited low-shear behavior measurement Cannot achieve very high shear rates
strain/stress frequencies

5. Applications
Oscillatory
Application Capillary Rheometer Rotational Rheometer
Rheometer

Structure-property
Polymers and Melts Extrusion, molding Flow properties, thixotropy
relationships
Suspensions and Emulsions Not ideal Flow properties Stability, gelation

Gels and Soft Solids Limited Flow, yield stress Elastic/viscous behavior

Food and Biological Fluids Not ideal Flow properties Viscoelastic properties

Summary Table
Oscillatory
Feature Capillary Rheometer Rotational Rheometer
Rheometer
Shear Rate Range High Low to medium N/A

Primary Use High-shear processes General rheology Viscoelastic studies

Sample Size Larger Small to medium Small to medium

Material Types Polymers, melts Liquids, suspensions Gels, emulsions

Here’s the enhanced comparison table including examples of technologies, brands, models, and manufacturers for each rheomet
1. Capillary, Rotational, Oscillatory, and Controlled Stress/Strain Rheometers Comparison
Oscillatory
Feature Capillary Rheometer Rotational Rheometer
Rheometer

High (102−106 s−110^2 - 10^6 \, \text{s}^{- Low to medium (10−3−103 s−110^{-3} - 10^3 \, \ N/A (frequency-
Shear Rate Range
1}102−106s−1) text{s}^{-1}10−3−103s−1) dependent oscillations)

Studying viscoelastic
General rheology for liquids, semi-solids, and materials like gels,
Primary Use High-shear processes like extrusion, molding
suspensions emulsions, and
polymers

Sample Size Larger Small to medium Small to medium

Gels, emulsions,
Material Types Polymers, melts Liquids, suspensions, semi-solids
viscoelastic materials

Dynamic Oscillatory
Rotational Rheometer with Cone-and-Plate or
Examples of Technologies High-Pressure Capillary Rheometer Rheometer with
Parallel-Plate Geometries
Frequency Control

Anton Paar (MCR Series

with oscillatory
Anton Paar (MCR Series), TA Instruments (DHR Series), capabilities), TA
Manufacturers Goettfert, Dynisco, Instron, Malvern Panalytical
Malvern Panalytical (Kinexus), Brookfield Instruments (ARES-G2),
Malvern Panalytical
(Kinexus Pro+)

Anton Paar MCR 502e

Goettfert Rheograph 20, Dynisco LCR7001, Instron Anton Paar MCR 302e, TA Instruments Discovery (oscillatory mode), TA
Notable Models
CEAST SR20 Hybrid Rheometers, Brookfield RST Instruments ARES-G2,
Malvern Kinexus Pro+

2. Examples for Each Rheometer Type

Capillary Rheometer Examples:

Goettfert Rheograph Series:
High-shear capillary rheometers for polymer melt extrusion and flow behavior analysis.
Dynisco LCR Series:
Compact capillary rheometers for quality control and R&D.
Instron CEAST SR20:
Specialized for high-temperature melt flow measurements.

Rotational Rheometer Examples:

Anton Paar MCR Series:

Widely used for rotational and oscillatory measurements, offering cone-and-plate and parallel-plate geometries.
TA Instruments Discovery Hybrid Rheometers (DHR Series):
Flexible instruments for shear flow and viscoelastic studies.
Brookfield RST Rheometer:
 Cost-effective rotational rheometer for a range of viscosities.

Oscillatory Rheometer Examples:

Anton Paar MCR Series (Oscillatory Mode):

Measures storage and loss modulus for viscoelastic materials.
TA Instruments ARES-G2:
Advanced oscillatory rheometer for polymers and soft matter.
Malvern Panalytical Kinexus Pro+:
Focused on frequency sweep and time-dependent viscoelastic analysis.

Controlled Stress/Strain Rheometer Examples:

Anton Paar MCR Series (Controlled Stress Mode):

Suitable for creep, relaxation, and thixotropic behavior studies.
TA Instruments DHR Series:
High precision for yield stress and strain-controlled tests.
Malvern Panalytical Kinexus Ultra+:
Specializes in controlled stress/strain measurements for complex fluids.

Summary

Oscillatory
Feature Capillary Rheometer Rotational Rheometer
Rheometer

Anton Paar, TA
Example Brands Goettfert, Dynisco, Instron, Malvern Panalytical Anton Paar, TA Instruments, Malvern, Brookfield Instruments, Malvern
Panalytical

Anton Paar MCR 502e,

Notable Models Goettfert Rheograph 20, Dynisco LCR7001 Anton Paar MCR 302e, TA DHR-2
TA ARES-G2
 Controlled
Stress/Strain
Rheometer

Broad shear rates

(depends on applied
stress/strain)

Directly applied and

measured

Derived from the

material's response to
the applied stress/strain

Indirectly measurable
(via strain recovery
studies)

Not typically measured

Controlled
Stress/Strain
Rheometer

Varies, depending on
stress/strain applied

Low to medium (depends

on material)

Small to medium sample

volumes

Broad range

Controlled
Stress/Strain
Rheometer

Precise control over

stress or strain

Ideal for yield stress,

creep, and relaxation
studies

Slower tests for time-

dependent properties

Controlled
Stress/Strain
Rheometer

Yield stress, creep

behavior
 Yield stress, thixotropy

Time-dependent
deformation

Rheological properties
under stress

Controlled
Stress/Strain
Variable

Stress-strain behaviors

Small to medium

Yield-stress materials

cturers for each rheometer type:

Controlled
Stress/Strain
Rheometer

Variable, depending on
stress/strain applied

Evaluating yield stress,

creep, thixotropy, and
relaxation behavior

Small to medium

Yield-stress materials,
time-dependent fluids

Stress/Strain Control
Rheometer with Creep
and Yield Stress
Modes

Anton Paar (MCR Series

with controlled stress
modes), TA Instruments
(DHR Series), Malvern
Panalytical (Kinexus
Ultra+)

Anton Paar MCR 302e

(controlled stress mode),
TA Instruments DHR-2,
Malvern Kinexus Ultra+
 Controlled
Stress/Strain
Rheometer

Anton Paar, TA
Instruments, Malvern
Panalytical

Anton Paar MCR 302e,

Malvern Kinexus Ultra+
Rheometers: An Overview

Rheometers are instruments used to measure the flow and deformation behavior of materials under applied forces. They are essential in
understanding the rheological properties (e.g., viscosity, elasticity, and viscoelasticity) of liquids, semi-solids, soft solids, and melts.

1. Types of Rheometers
Here is an extended classification of rheometers, their working principles, and notable examples:
Type Measurement Principle Applications Examples

Material is forced through a narrow High-shear-rate processes: Goettfert Rheograph Series,

Capillary Rheometer capillary; pressure drop and flow rate are polymer extrusion, injection Dynisco LCR7001, Instron
used to calculate viscosity. molding. CEAST SR20.

Rotational motion is applied; torque and

Liquids, semi-solids, Anton Paar MCR 302e, TA
Rotational Rheometer angular velocity are measured to determine
suspensions, and soft solids. DHR Series, Brookfield RST.
viscosity.

Oscillatory stress or strain is applied to Anton Paar MCR 502e

Polymers, gels, emulsions,
Oscillatory Rheometer determine viscoelastic properties like G′G'G (Oscillatory Mode), TA ARES-
and viscoelastic fluids.
′ and G′′G''G′′. G2, Malvern Kinexus Pro+.

Applies controlled stress/strain; measures Thixotropy, time-dependent Anton Paar MCR 302e (Stress
Controlled Stress/Strain
material response for yield stress, creep, or materials, and yield stress Mode), Malvern Kinexus
Rheometer
relaxation. analysis. Ultra+, TA DHR Series.

Measures extensional viscosity by Adhesives, coatings, Thermo Scientific Haake

Extensional Rheometer stretching a sample and analyzing the polymers, and viscoelastic CaBER 1, Evonik Extensional
deformation resistance. fluids. Rheometer.

Operates under high pressure for studying Anton Paar HP-HT Rheometer,
Oil drilling fluids, polymers,
High-Pressure Rheometer high-temperature melts and processing TA Instruments High-Pressure
and molten materials.
environments. Rheometers.

Uses microfluidic channels to measure

Biotechnology, food, RheoSense m-VROC,
Microfluidic Rheometer rheological properties with small sample
pharmaceuticals. Microrheology Systems.
volumes.
Thin films, biological
Uses piezoelectric actuators for high-
Piezoelectric Rheometer membranes, high-frequency KLA Tencor Pico-Rheo 300.
frequency oscillatory measurements.
materials.
Göttfert Rheotens, Thermo
Measures the material's behavior in Polymers and films under
Elongational Rheometer Scientific Haake Extensional
uniaxial or biaxial stretching flows. stretching conditions.
Rheometer.

Uses magnetic resonance imaging to study Suspensions, emulsions, and Bruker Rheo-NMR, Oxford
Magnetic Resonance Rheometer
complex flows in heterogeneous materials. biological fluids. Instruments RheoMRI.

Measures frictional properties and rheology Lubricants, coatings, and soft Anton Paar Tribometer, PCS
Triborheometer
simultaneously. contact materials. Instruments Tribo-Rheometer.

2. Measuring Techniques
2.1. Capillary Rheometry
Principle: Material is extruded through a capillary, and the pressure drop (ΔP\Delta PΔP) is measured.
Calculations:

Shear Stress (τw): τw = (2L / R) ΔP

Shear Rate (γ˙): γ̇ = (4Q) / (πR³)

Viscosity (η): η = τw / γ̇

2.2. Rotational Rheometry

Principle: Rotational motion is applied, and torque (MMM) and angular velocity (ω\omegaω) are measured.
Calculations:

Shear Stress (τ): τ = M / (2πR²)

Shear Rate (γ˙): γ̇ = (ωR) / h

Viscosity (η): η = τ / γ̇

2.3. Oscillatory Rheometry

Principle: Measures the response of a material to sinusoidal oscillatory stress/strain.
Key Parameters:
Storage Modulus (G′): Measures elasticity.
Loss Modulus (G′′): Measures viscosity.

Complex Viscosity (η∗): η* = (G' * cos(ωt) + G'' * sin(ωt)) / ω

2.4. Extensional Rheometry

 Principle: Measures resistance to elongation by stretching the material.
Key Parameters:
Extensional Viscosity (ηe​): ηₑ = σ / ε̇
Where:
ηe​= Extensional viscosity
σ = Stress
ϵ˙ = Strain rate

3. Applications
Application Relevant Rheometer Types
Capillary, Rotational, Extensional
Polymers and Melts
Rheometers.
Rotational, Oscillatory, Magnetic Resonance
Suspensions and Emulsions
Rheometers.
Triborheometers, Controlled Stress
Lubricants and Coatings
Rheometers.
Microfluidic, Magnetic Resonance,
Biological Fluids
Oscillatory Rheometers.
Rotational, Oscillatory, Microfluidic
Food and Pharmaceuticals
Rheometers.

4. Leading Manufacturers and Models

Manufacturer Notable Models Types of Rheometers Specialty
Versatile rheometers for
Rotational, Oscillatory,
Anton Paar MCR Series, HP-HT Rheometer viscosity, elasticity, and flow
Stress/Strain
behavior.

Advanced rheometers for

Discovery Hybrid Rheometers (DHR), ARES- Rotational, Oscillatory,
TA Instruments oscillatory, shear, and
G2, ARES-Rhomaster Stress/Strain
stress/strain measurements.

User-friendly rheometers for a

Rotational, Oscillatory,
Malvern Panalytical Kinexus Series, RheolabQC wide range of materials and
Stress/Strain, Capillary
applications.

Capillary and extensional

Capillary, Extensional,
Goettfert Rheograph Series, Rheotens, RheoTest 2 rheometers for polymers and
Rotational
high-performance materials.

High-temperature capillary
Dynisco LCR Series, HTR Series Capillary, Rotational rheometers for polymer melts
and viscosity testing.

Versatile rheometers for

Haake RheoStress, Haake MARS, Haake Rotational, Extensional, polymer processing, flow
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Rotovisco Stress/Strain testing, and mechanical
behavior.

Widely used for viscosity

Brookfield DV3T Rheometer, R/S Plus, DVNext Rotational measurements and shear rate
tests in various industries.

Precision rheometers for

RheolabQC, MCR 302, RheoTorque 100, Rotational, Oscillatory, industrial and lab
Netzsch
Kinexus Pro Capillary applications, including high-
temperature and melt testing.

Capillary and rotational

Capillary Rheometer 3200, Viscometer rheometers focused on
Instron Capillary, Rotational
Series viscosity and polymer flow
testing.
High precision testing for
Schwabenthan (Thermo Fisher) Capillary Rheometer 100, MCR Series Capillary, Rotational polymer melts and other
material behavior.
Capillary, Gel Permeation, Specialized for polymer,
Malvern Instruments Viscotek Series, Capillary Rheometer
Rotational solution, and gel testing.

High-precision rheometers
Rheometric Scientific RDA, RDS, Discovery Hybrid Rheometers Rotational, Oscillatory used for research and
material characterization.

Focused on viscosity and flow

Rotational Viscometers, Capillary
Cannon Instrument Company Rotational, Capillary testing for industrial and
Rheometer Series
research applications.

Widely recognized for

rotational and capillary
Ametek Brookfield R/S Plus, DV3T Rotational, Viscometers
measurements across various
sectors.

Explanation of Rheometer Types:

Rotational Rheometers: Used for measuring the viscosity of fluids at different shear rates.
Oscillatory Rheometers: Measure material response to oscillatory strain, providing data on storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex
viscosity.
Stress/Strain Rheometers: Evaluate the mechanical properties of materials under different applied stresses and strains.
Capillary Rheometers: Measure viscosity and flow behavior of materials under high shear rates, typically used for polymer melt testing.

Extensional Rheometers: Measure the elongational viscosity of materials, particularly useful for polymer melt and fiber extrusion testing.