The HAAKE RheoStress 1 used regularly and maintained at UC Riverside by our laboratory is a research grade rheometer with a frictionless air bearing and digital signal processor (DSP) technology. The measurements in controlled stress (CS), controlled rate (CR) and controlled deformation (CD)-mode in rotation and oscillation are carried out.

There are four main parts of this Rheometer System: 1) Air supply system; 2) Temperature control system, 3) PC+ RheoWin Measuring and Evaluation Software and 4) Measuring instrument.

(1) Air supply system: Low noise air compressor and water-oil filter to clean the air. The air pressure on the rheometer input is kept at 40 psi. If the air pressure is too high, the air bearing will be damaged.

(2) Temperature control system: Peltier temperature controlled measuring plate and water circular. The temperature control unit mode is TCP/P and the temperature can in principle be adjusted between -40 C and 180 C.

(3) HAAKE RheoWin measuring and evaluation software is installed on the PC, which controls the rheometer through RS 232 Serial Port.

(4) Measuring instrument (Rheometer) can be equipped with different sensors. In our laboratory, the rheometer is equipped with PP35 and PP25 sensors.

We generally re-calibrate the gap between the plates prior to daily measurements.