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DHR/AR Rheometer: Setting Up an Oscillation Amplitude Sweep

In this topic
Overview
Test Setup

Overview

In the Oscillation Amplitude Sweep, the strain (displacement) or stress (torque) amplitude is varied linearly or logarithmically. Strain, stress amplitude, and phase shift are recorded. The main reason for the amplitude sweep is to determine the onset of non-linear behavior. In the non-linear region, the data points are not equally spaced as a function of strain amplitude when the stress amplitude is controlled. In the non-linear region, the material response is not sinusoidal anymore, and odd higher harmonics become important. The magnitude of the higher harmonics can be evaluated.

The onset point of non-linear behavior in a strain sweep of structured fluids is often used to determine the yield behavior. The critical strain is a measure of the yield point, whereas the corresponding stress is the yield stress. Strain sweeps on structured fluids provide meaningful data only when the sample is in equilibrium prior to testing.

Test Setup 

To select an Oscillation Amplitude test, see Using Experimental Procedures for detailed instructions.

When you perform an Oscillation Amplitude Sweep, the following parameters need to be chosen.

Environmental Control

Select the following environmental control parameters:

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Test Parameters

Set up the following test parameters.

  1. Three types of oscillation amplitude sweep tests can be run (Logarithmic sweep, Linear sweep, and Discrete sweep). Choose the desired method from the list. Then choose the desired control variable. Select between Torque, Stress, Displacement, Strain, or Strain%. This test can be run using either torque/stress or displacement/strain as the controlling variable.

The available range is dependent on your instrument type and configuration.

If you want to edit the values already displayed in the table, place the cursor in the table at the desired point and make your editing changes. The entries will be used in order until the first 0.00 entry is encountered, which is recognized as the end of the table.

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Controlled Stress/Strain Advanced

Select from the parameters listed below:

Data Acquisition

There are additional data collection options that can be adjusted to control how data is obtained and what additional information is collected during the measurement. To access these options, click on the “arrow” to display these test fields.

First select the acquisition mode, ‘Correlation’ or ‘transient’. In the correlation mode the transient torque and displacement data are evaluated by the firmware in real time and only the transformed frequency dependent test results are provided. This is the typical mode for most applications. In the transient mode, in addition to the frequency dependent test results the transient torque and displacement data are saved. The transient data are attached to the data file one step for each oscillation data point. The transient mode is typically selected for additional evaluation of the raw data (DFT) or for generating Lissajous plots.

Following settings are available in ‘correlation’ mode:

  1. Save waveform (point display): Select this option to store a snapshot of the data correlation buffer used for the calculation of the oscillatory data, along within the data file, for future recall. Note that this waveform snapshot is a small subset of the actual data used in the calculation, and can be used to provide insight into the quality of the stress and strain signals used based on the shape of the waveforms and noise levels present.

See Also

Viewing the Point Display

Following settings are available in ‘transient’ mode:

  1. Select the desired Sampling time:
  1. Save image: Select to store images of the test within the data file for future recall when using the camera accessory.

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Controlled Flow

This is used to superpose a continuous flow onto the oscillation signal (parallel superposition). This option is not available for continuous oscillation in controlled stress and strain mode. Select the flow control below:

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Step Termination 

TRIOS Software allows you to define conditions in which a step is halted ahead of its normal termination conditions (Limit checking). You can use this to ensure that, for instance, the instrument does not over speed or apply excessive strains.

Rather than running a step for a certain amount of time, you may wish to run it until stable data is obtained. You can set an Equilibrium limit (such as the viscosity value becoming constant when running a single shear with time) that will stop the currently active test.

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