MCR

Extended Material
Characterization

Use your rheometer for

Extended Material Characterization

MCR rheometers offer you an open range of possibilities and this range
does not stop at shear rheology.
A comprehensive selection of easily integrated accessories transfer the capabilities
of the intrinsically modular MCR series into other material characterization
applications. Patented features ensure the convenient, reliable exchange and
configuration of any application-specific accessory.
The choice is yours: Whether you want to perform DMTA analysis in torsion or
extension, interfacial rheology, tribology or more the dynamic performance, high
sensitivity and low-torque capabilities of MCR rheometers are at your service.

Dynamic Mechanical
Analysis (DMA)

Extensional rheology and

mixing processes

Powder rheology

Starch rheology

Interfacial rheology

Large-particle
rheology

10-11
Tribology

Use your rheometer for

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
Fixtures for films, rectangular and circular solids
MCR rheometers can also be used for Dynamic Mechanical
Analysis (DMA). The temperature and mechanical behavior of
films, fibers and solids is investigated with a variety of available
fixtures such as solid circular or rectangular fixtures (SCF, SRF),
film and fiber fixtures (UXF) or parallel-plate systems.
The large temperature range of the CTD convection temperature
devices allow you to characterize materials from the glassy to
the molten state. Consequently, materials transition temperatures
and relaxations are precisely determined.
The humidity option for the convection oven device CTD 180
enables DMA measurements under controlled temperature and
humidity conditions and prevents sample drying.

Solid Rectangular or Circular Fixtures (SRF, SCF)

MCR rheometers can be used for Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
in torsion. The temperature and mechanical behavior of solids is
investigated with a variety of available fixtures such as solid circular
or rectangular fixtures (SCF, SRF). The solid rectangular fixture is
available for single- and twin-drive systems.
The large temperature range of the CTD convection temperature
devices allows you to characterize materials from the glassy to the
molten state. Consequently, materials transition temperatures and
relaxations are precisely determined.

Universal Extensional Fixture (UXF)

The Universal Extensional Fixture (UXF) can be used for Dynamic
Mechanical Analysis in tension on films and fibers.
In combination with an MCR rheometer and a CTD convection
temperature device, the UXF enables tensile strain- or stresscontrolled DMA tests across a wide temperature range. This
combined system is used to investigate effects such as
temperature stability, shrinkage, elongation, crystallizations, phase
transitions, relaxations and the brittleness of films and fibers.

Use your rheometer for...

Extensional rheology
Elongation tests for film and fibers
Elongational viscosity functions and optimization can play a
crucial role in product planning. Elongational tests can be used
for product control, product research and for the structure
determination of competitive products. Using extensional
measurements at all stages of development, the behavior of
polymers with branching structures will increase understanding
and product security.
Combined with the convection temperature devices, this setup
enables extensional tests, e.g. tests on synthetic polymers,
biopolymers or tissues, across a wide temperature and
deformation range.

Sentmanat Extensional Rheometer (SER)

The Extensional Rheometer System developed by Dr. Martin
Sentmanat turns your MCR rheometer into a universal testing
platform for extensional rheology.
The setup consists of two drums which are connected to the
rheometer. While one drum is driven directly by the shaft, the
second is connected via gears and turns in the opposite direction.
This setup can be immersed into a fluid to prevent potential
sample sagging. Besides characterizations in extension, the SER
system can be used for solid tensile, tear, peel and friction testing.

Universal Extensional Fixture (UXF)

The UXF for single-drive is a universal extensional fixture. It is used
for oscillatory measurements (DMA in tension) as well as rotational
measurements for measuring the extensional viscosity of melts.
UXF TwinDrive is the extensional test with best low torque
sensitivity but not suitable for oscillatory measurements.

Application
Extensional rheology
Oscillation measurements (DMA tension)

SER

UXF

UXF TD

++

++

++

LDPE measured at different Hencky strain rates

compared to cone-plate measurements in oscillation:

Visualization of an extensional experiment on a polyolefin melt

Use your rheometer for...

Powder rheology
Powder Cell
The Powder Cell turns an MCR rheometer into a powder rheometer
and brings the full array of traditional rheological methods to the field
of powder.
It enables quality control for true powder rheology in an easy,
reliable and extraordinarily reproducible way by giving a value which
indicates deviations in powder flow. No matter what has caused
the changes (particle size and shape, chemical structure, humidity,
packing behavior, static charge, surface morphology, gas adsorption,
etc.), it is represented by this value: Cohesion Strength!
In the field of advanced true powder rheology the amazing precision
achieved with MCR rheometers is brought to the field of granular
media. The powder rheometer enables both rotational and oscillatory
tests in any state of either consolidation or fluidization and also
includes a high-precision pressure-drop device.

Unique dust protection

The Powder Cells unique dust protection hood safeguards
the operator and the instrument from fine and potentially
hazardous powder even when the powder is fully fluidized.
By combining the air-seal technology and a two-fold
geometric barrier, the Powder Cell is one hundred percent
dustproof without any friction on the measurement axis
and therefore retains the MCR rheometers extraordinary
accuracy and resolution down to 10 nNm and below.

No matter which factor influences your powder, the established Cohesion Strength value will change:

moist

Interval Time tint [s]

Even a small amount of moisture can influence the flow behavior to a large
degree

sharp edges
Torque M [mN.m]

Torque M [mN.m]

dry

round edges

Interval Time tint [s]

The shape of your particles can and will influence the flow behavior (same
particle size)

Use your rheometer for

Starch rheology
Starch Rheology System
The Starch Rheology System turns your MCR rheometer into a
platform for the analysis of starch pasting behavior at elevated
pressure and temperature conditions.
The high heating and cooling rates required for starch gelling
measurements are achieved by combining electrical heating
with fluid-circulator-supported cooling. A special stirrer prevents
sedimentation in the liquid phase.
The system can be used for starch tests under ambient pressure
at up to 95 C and, equipped with a specific pressure cell (max.
30 bar), even allows rapid sample cooking up to 160 C. Any real
process condition, such as food sterilization, can be simulated
based on tailor-made test programs.

Easily customized and automated workbook templates with

pre-defined heating, holding and cooling intervals simplify your
measurement setup and provide all required starch analysis
results such as the gelation temperature, peak viscosity and final
viscosity.
The two examples below illustrate the Starch Rheology Systems
reproducibility for starch testing.

Gelation of dent corn starch

Gelation of modified waxy corn starch

Use your rheometer for...

Large-particle rheology
Building Material Cell
The Building Material Cell (BMC) is specially designed for rheological
measurements on building materials with large particles, providing
information on processability, shelf life and flowability.
Building materials are often pastes or highly filled suspensions
containing large particles with sizes up to 5 mm. They show
tendencies of wall slippage or separation when sheared with
conventional measuring systems. The BMC's special vane and cup
design eliminates this risk; its modular inset cages with flow breakers
prevent wall slippage and improve mix-up effects.
The Peltier-temperature-controlled cell is abrasion-proof and easy
to clean, since all wetted surfaces are made of stainless steel. It is
easily adapted to all MCR rheometer models and can be used in all
rheological test modes: controlled shear rate (CSR), controlled shear
stress (CSS) and oscillatory testing.

Ball Measuring System

The Ball Measuring System (BMS) is used in combination with an
MCR rheometer to measure the flow properties of samples with
very large particles.
The system is based on a principle by Mueller-Tyrach which
involves an excentrically rotating sphere. This sphere is available
in various diameters depending on your samples viscosity. Due to
the outstanding speed control of the MCR series EC motor, a full
flow and viscosity curve can be determined in one single revolution
of the measuring system.
The flow properties of large-particle samples such as slurries,
sludges or food products can be determined within one single
rotation; dimensionless analysis of the produced flow field allows
the online calculation of rheological parameters such as viscosity
and shear rate.

Flow curve of silica plaster measured with

the BMC

Amplitude sweep of silica plaster measured

with the BMC

Use your rheometer for...

Interfacial rheology

Interfacial Rheology System

The Interfacial Rheology System (IRS) combined with an MCR
rheometer enables two-dimensional rheological measurements of
interfacial films at the air/liquid and the liquid/liquid interface.
In the IRS, a bi-cone measuring system is placed in the interface
and measures absorbed or spread films, e.g. films produced by
proteins or surfactants. Employing the low-torque capabilities and
the TruStrainTM feature of the MCR rheometer, the IRS enables
rheological measurements of weakest interfacial structures.

The temperature is controlled by Peltier elements in the range from

5 C to 70 C; the patented normal force sensor in the air bearing
of the MCR rheometer allows the accurate positioning of the
bi-cone in the interface.

Specifications Interfacial Rheology System

Measuring geometry

Bi-cone with radius of 34.14 mm

and bi-cone angle of 10 (2 x 5)

A post-processing hydrodynamic flow field analysis subtracts the

contribution of the bulk and covering phase and calculates the
relevant interfacial properties of the measured interfacial layer.

Temperature

5 C to 70 C

Accessory

P-PTD 200/80/I

Measurements can be performed in rotational and oscillatory mode,

e.g. allowing flow curves and creep tests at an interfacial layer or
oscillatory tests during the film formation process.

Software

Interfacial Flow Field Analysis

All measured and calculated interfacial data is recorded and

displayed in the MCR series application software, in which
pre-defined interfacial rheology workbooks are available for
user-friendly operation.

Spread interfacial film

Sample dissolved in solvent

Absorbed interfacial film

Sample dissolved in the bulk

liquid

Covering phase

Air or fluid

Air/liquid interface

Specifications sample

Liquid/liquid interface

Use your rheometer for

Tribology
Accessories for tribological measurements are specially
designed to put the MCR rheometers precision in motion and
force control to the best possible use.
You can use this unique setup to complement rheological and
DMTA measurements. Stribeck curves, static friction tests
(including break-away torque) and specific motion profiles
combined with normal force and temperature control provide
information one step closer to the application.
Test the performance of a broad range of applications from
the characterization of lubricants (oil, greases) to materials and
coatings (metals, polymers, ceramic) and component tests
(bearings or the like).

MCR 302/502/702

T-PID/44

Measuring principle

Pin-on-disk

Ball-on-three-plates

Rolling bearing test

Ball-on-three-plates

Normal force FN,Tribo

0.7 N to 17 N

1 N to 23 N

1 N to 50 N

0.1 N to 23 N

Sliding speed vs

10-9 m/s to 2.3 m/s

10-8 m/s to 1.4 m/s

(3.3 m/s 1) )

10-8 m/s to 1.4 m/s

Revolution U

10-6 rpm to 1000 rpm

Torque M

Temperature T

-30 C to 190 C

T-PTD 200

T-BTP

10-6 rpm to 3000 rpm

MCR
MCR
MCR
MCR

302:
502 TDR:
702 TD:
502 S:

1 nNm to 200 mNm

1 nNm to 230 mNm
1 nNm to 230 mNm
50 nNm to 300 mNm

-40 C to 200 C

CTD 180:
-20 C to 180 C
CTD 450 TDR:
-150 C to 450 C

Deflection angle

1 rad to rad

Customized solutions

For your specific application in the broad field of tribology, not covered by the current accessories, Anton Paar offers
customized solutions. Benefit from the high precision of the Anton Paar workshop and the creative heads of our
development and engineering department. We customize sample holders as well as partial or complete measuring
setups to meet your specific needs.
Please contact Anton Paar: tribo@anton-paar.com

T-BTP
Extended atmosphere control for ball-on-three-plates
 Employ advantages of CTD temperature control for
tribological measurements
 Temperature control between -150 C and 450 C
 Humidity control 5 % to 95 %
 Spring stiffness adjustable in z-direction

T-PID/44
High precision motion control pin-on-disc
 Full flexibility, high precision motion control
 Spring stiffness adjustable in z-direction
 For tribological characterization of lubricants and materials

T-PTD 200
Tribology with full motion flexibility and precision
 Range of measuring setups:
-- Ball-on-three-plates (1/2 ball, 30 mm ball)
-- Sample holder for different specimen geometries
-- Rolling bearing test setup

 Exceptional motion precision in rotation and oscillation

-- Deflection angles down to 1 rad
-- Speeds as low as 10-9 m/s
-- For ball-on-three-plates and ball bearing test setup

 Superior temperature control

-- Temperature range: -40 C to 200 C
-- Application of Peltier control

 2016 Anton Paar GmbH | All rights reserved.

Specifications subject to change without notice.
C92IP007EN-F