Right Rheometry for Polymer Characterization and Processing

With the wide range of rheological measurements available today, it can be difficult to select which ones are most useful to guide selection for example of a new resin or evaluate a recycled blend. In this presentation I will outline a strategy for optimal selection of the right rheometry for a particular process and application. I will focus primarily on polymer melt processes. The optimum rheological measurements for selecting the best injection molding grade, for example, are quite different for choosing a recyclate for film blowing. Guidelines for rheological characterization of nanoparticle dispersion differ from characterizing polymer-polymer blends. I will also list key measurements outside rheometry important for material selection.