Rubber Process Analyzer

Rubber Process Analyzer - RPA9000

ASTM D 5289, ASTM D 6204, ASTM D 6601, ISO 6502, DIN 53529

Applications

RPA9000 Rubber Process Analyzer is designed for measuring the viscoelastic properties of polymers and elastomeric compounds before, during and after cure. The acquired data gives exact information about the processability, cure characteristics, cure speed, and behavior of the compound at the after-cure.

RPA9000 fulfills the complete range of all test requirements; Polymers, raw materials, basic, finished and cured compounds can all be characterized. Besides the cure properties, cure characteristics and processability can all be determined and evaluated. It is the state-of-the-art machine for dynamic testing purposes. The machine can be fitted with several unique options such as variable die gap, low-temperature cooling, and high speed data acquisition – providing the highest frequency-strain combination available on the market.

The high flexibility of the RPA9000 allows the user to program and execute arbitrary test sequences with the Analyses Software. Each dynamic test sequence can include an unlimited number of the following sub-steps: timed tests, isothermal tests, non-isothermal tests, amplitude sweeps, frequency sweeps, temperature sweeps, shear rate sweeps, relaxations, retardations, hysteresis and tension tests. Of course, any combination of these sub-tests are possible – with or without an initial strain, as well as strain or stress controlled.

RPA9000 is entirely made of high-strength stainless steel, precision ground and hardened, significantly reducing sample slippage for highest dynamic test ranges and most accurate torque, modulus and viscosity readings. Machine with single test – multi subtest test procedure programming with up to 1000 sub-programs as well as an unbeaten shear rate range of up to 100 sec-1 – the RPA9000 is truly the most flexible and dynamic multi-function Rheometer in the market.

Some of the important advantages for the user:

• Lower cost per test & better efficiency
• Faster batch release with only one test for all essential physical characteristics
• Software enable analysis of cure characteristics and properties can be determined with only one test of one test sample
• Faster and significantly simplified development cycles
• No separate sample preparation necessary

For the best possible determination of all relevant test parameters the RPA-9000 is equipped with a large variety of test methods, test parameters as well as calculation and evaluation options.

The following measurements can be determined:

• Shear modulus: G’ and G’’
• Complex shear modulus: G*
• Torque: S’ and S’’
• Complex torque: S*
• Dynamic real viscosity: n‘
• Dynamic imaginary viscosity: n‘‘
• Dynamic complex viscosity: n*
• Loss angle: δ
• Tangent-delta :
• Pressure (optional)
• Modulus under extension / compression: E*, E’, E’’
• Compliance: J*, J‘, J‘‘
• Compliance under extension / compression: D*, D’, D’’
• Spring rate: Ks, Kc, Kp
• Damping coefficient: C

Standard Features:

• Rugged housing: built with a high performance aluminum with a modern design
• Instrument structure: friendly access to the electronics as well as the drive system of the instrument. Only highest quality products are used within the instrument.
• PC-system: Computer set according to latest specification and Windows 7 in English,
• Drive system: Direct torque drive unit which has been specially developed for dynamic test purposes. Integrated into this drive system are ceramic bearings to reduce friction and significantly improve lifetime of the instrument. Due to this testing frequencies are possible up to 100Hz.
• Angle measurement: The die movement is directly measured at the torque shaft with a high resolution of 5000 Sin/Cos pulses per turn by rotation transducer
• Torque measurement via a high precision strain gage unit
• Software system: modern, state of the art software system with a ODBC- database
• User friendly operation interface, test programs can be easily generated and edited as well as whole test sequences can be generated within a few clicks.
• Data processing: All test results are calculated and evaluated online, as well as stored on the hard drive of the computer. The total testing time for one test is nearly unlimited.
• Data format: All test results are stored in clear format without any form of encryption on the hard drive of the computer. This means all test results can be further processed by a text editor or also by Microsoft Excel. Furthermore the software offers an export functionality to export all test results into common file formats

Technical Specification