What is a Rheometer?
A rheometer is an instrument used in the science of rheometry. A rheometer reproduces deformation under controlled conditions representative of those found in real production processes (temperature and deformation rate) and measures the consequences. The consequences are usually conveyed in terms of stress and viscosity from which a host of rheological parameters can be further computed.
A rheometer is a kind of viscometer that measures visco-elastic properties of materials beyond just viscosity. Rheology is the flow of fluids and deformation of solids under various kinds of stress and strain. A rheometer, therefore, measures material behavior such as yield stress, kinetic properties, complex viscosity, modulus, creep, and recovery. Most rheometer models belong to three specific categories. These are the rotational rheometer, the capillary rheometer, and the extensional rheometer. The most commonly used of these is the rotational rheometer, which is also called a stress/strain rheometer, followed by the capillary rheometer. The rheometer has become important in the building and maintenance of roads. Measuring the rheology of asphalt binders helps predict pavement performance over time as it is affected by changing climate and traffic conditions. In 1993, the US government introduced the measure of rheological properties to the paving industry when it funded the Strateg
