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[March 2002]
New Rheology Process Simulation Software
Bohlin Instruments Ltd (Cirencester, Glos, England) has recently released a new version of software that enables users to simulate complex processes which involve either shear or temperature profiles. The new profile options avoid the need for users to construct complicated macros, or link experiments with an external programmer. The profile mode is embedded in both the viscometry and oscillation software as a standard test option.Shear profile mode in the viscometry software allows regions of constant shear rate and regions of continuously ramped shear rate to be combined together as one continuous test. Used in conjunction with the latest DSP hardware, the shear rate can be changed almost instantaneously between regions. Within each discrete region, a choice of sampling rates is available with linear or logarithmic shear rate ramping.
The profile is constructed in a tabular form with drop-down menus and a clipboard enabling easy input of parameters. Measured data from the profile test can be mathematically analysed by separate regions so parameters such as plastic viscosity and yield stress can be investigated as functions of both time and shear history.
The temperature profile option can be used in conjunction with either oscillation or viscometry tests and operates in a similar way to the shear profile mode. Temperature profiling can be easily constructed, says Bohlin, using both gradients and regions of thermal equilibrium. Temperature profile becomes especially useful when used in conjunction with the Bohlin plate & cylinder peltier units. These are able to effect rapid thermal changes in the test sample, thus simulating many industrial processes.
ENDS