Viscosity & flow curve
Viscosity and shear stress across a range of shear rates.
Useful forPaints, inks, creams, gels, slurriesMechanical & Physical
Rheometer
Shear, Amplitude, Frequency Studies
A rheometer shears a sample between a rotating cone or plate and a fixed plate to measure how it flows and deforms. It gives viscosity curves, yield behaviour and viscoelastic moduli (G′, G″).
3 test optionsViscosity, G′ and G″Cone-plate or parallel-plateTypical turnaround 4–6 working days
Rheometer measurement principleIllustrative
01 / Overview
What is Rheometer?
The sample fills a narrow gap between a fixed lower plate and a rotating cone or plate. In rotation, the instrument sets a shear rate or stress and measures the torque, giving shear stress and viscosity. In oscillation, it applies a small sinusoidal strain and splits the response into elastic (G′) and viscous (G″) parts.
Unlike a simple viscometer, a rheometer covers several decades of shear rate and can probe structure without destroying it. That makes it the tool for shear thinning, yield stress, gel strength and stability of creams, gels, inks, slurries, polymer solutions and foods.
02 / How it works
How it works
- 01
Sample is loaded
A small amount of sample is placed on the temperature-controlled lower plate.
- 02
Geometry is lowered
The cone or plate comes down to a set gap and excess sample is trimmed from the edge.
- 03
Sample is sheared
The geometry rotates at set rates, or oscillates at set strains and frequencies, while torque is measured.
- 04
Curves are calculated
Torque and motion become shear stress, viscosity, G′ and G″ against rate, strain or frequency.
03 / What it measures
What it measures
Shear thinning or thickening
How viscosity changes as the shear rate rises.
Useful forPumping, coating, dispensing, sprayingYield stress
The stress at which a paste or gel starts to flow.
Useful forToothpastes, sauces, sealants, cosmeticsViscoelastic moduli (G′, G″)
Elastic and viscous parts of the response, from oscillation.
Useful forGels, hydrogels, polymer solutionsLinear viscoelastic region
The strain range a structure takes before it starts to break down.
Useful forGel strength, formulation stability04 / Test options
Choose the Rheometer options you need
3 options · none added yet
05 / Sample requirements
Sample requirements
- Accepted forms
- Liquids, gels, creams, pastes, suspensions, emulsions
- Quantity
- At least 10 mL or 10 g per sample, to allow repeat runs
- Particles
- Mention coarse particles or fibres; they may need parallel plates
- Container
- Sealed, leak-proof container, filled to limit drying or skinning
- Test conditions
- State temperature, shear-rate range or sweep settings, if known
- Well mixed and free of air bubbles
- State storage needs, e.g. refrigerate, and shelf life
- Note any standard or earlier test conditions to match
- No dry powders, granules or solid pieces
- No samples that cure or set within minutes without discussing first
Hazardous or air-sensitive samples: mention it in your request, and attach the MSDS if you have one.
06 / Results & turnaround
Results & turnaround
What you receive
- Flow curves: viscosity and shear stress vs shear rate
- Amplitude and frequency sweeps (G′, G″, tan δ), when chosen
- Key values, e.g. viscosity at set rates, yield stress
- Raw data files
- Report PDF
Turnaround & pricing
Typically 4–6 working days after samples reach the lab.
Price confirmed in your quotation, depending on user type, options and number of samples.
07 / Limitations
When Rheometer isn't the right fit
Rigid solids in tension, compression or bending
Melting, glass transition or curing temperatures
Particle size or stability of a dispersion
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