Evaluation of rheological parameters of polymer melts in torque rheometers

A new empirical equation is developed to evaluate rheological parameters of polymer melts in torque rheometers, in which the effects of rotor speed, t emperature and apparent filling degree on torque are all considered. With a well-defined experimental procedure, balance torque and temperature are ob tained by an exponential model and can then be used to fit a modified equat ion. The resulting rheological parameters are in good accordance with those measured by capillary rheometer. For the sake of saving experimental expen se and time, a statistical experimental design method, termed a uniform des ign, was used in our experiments. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.