Acquisition of an Extensional Rheometer for Materials Research and Education

Clemson University, Clemson SC

Investigators

Abstract

0076257 Harrison This IMR grant supports the acquisition of an extensional rheometer in the Chemical Engineering department at Clemson University. The instrument will support the research of two young and two midcareer scientists in the investigation of extensional viscosity in polymers and polymer blends. The study facilitated by this instrument will allow a more complete characterization of a broad class of materials and lead to the development of new materials engineered with particular extensional properties. The rheometer will also enable current and future students to study extensional properties and investigate the influence of these properties on materials processing. Examples of materials to be studied are highly entangled polymer solutions and melts, polymer blends, composite materials and suspensions. Plastics and rubbers have extraordinary properites when they are squeezed or stretched. Pulling them apart involves measures such as extensional viscosity which play a vital role in the mechanical properties of these materials. The instrument acquisition supported by this grant is to help study the mechanical propertis of these technologically critical materials.