Rheological analysis laboratory - Polymer rheology
You want to characterize the physico-chemical flow properties of your materials using rheological analysis?
What is rheological analysis?
Rheological analysis is the study of the behaviour of materials when they are subject to deformation and flow, under the effect of external stresses such as pressure or force.
It focuses on how materials deform or flow in response to these stresses, combining the disciplines of fluid mechanics, elasticity and plasticity.
Rheology is concerned with viscoelastic materials, whose behaviour combines both viscous and elastic properties.
Deformation and flow of materials
Deformation and flow of materials are issues related to the characterization of materials under stress.
- Material deformation refers to the change in shape or volume of a material in response to a force. There are two main types of deformation: elastic and plastic. Elastic deformation is temporary, meaning that the material returns to its original shape once the force is removed. Plastic deformation, on the other hand, is permanent, meaning that the material does not return to its original shape once the force has been removed.
- Material flow refers to the continuous movement of a material under the effect of an applied force. It is a characteristic mainly associated with fluids, although some solids do flow under certain conditions, particularly thermal conditions. Flow is influenced by the viscosity of the material.
Knowing how a material deforms and flows can help predict its behaviour in structures under load, in the formulation of drugs or cosmetic products, and in the design of industrial processes.
Why carry out a rheological analysis of a material in the laboratory?
Performing rheological analysis of materials in the laboratory makes it possible to identify and quantify the viscoelastic, viscous and elastic properties of materials, providing information for numerous industrial and research applications.
For example, rheological data guides the optimisation of production processes, materials selection and product design, ensuring the desired quality and performance. In the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, understanding rheology helps to develop products with the specific textures and flow properties required to meet consumer expectations. In this way, rheological analysis in the laboratory plays a role in quality control, innovation and technical problem solving.
our services
Rheological study of a hydrogel
Characterization on magneto-rheological oil
Search for nanoparticles in powders
Rheological analysis on powder
Determination of the viscosity index of a PET
Viscosity and density measurement
FILAB laboratory performs rheological analysis of your materials
As a manufacturer, you are looking for a texture, to assess the performance of your product, to analyse its flowability (implementation). The FILAB laboratory can help you and carry out rheological analysis of your raw materials and finished products.
Our technical resources
Viscometer
Rheometer
Planar rheometer
Polymer rheology by the FILAB laboratory
You wish to characterize the physicochemical flow properties of your materials by rheological analysis
Polymer rheology is the study of the deformation and flow of materials under the effect of a stress and a temperature. Thus, depending on the nature of materials (polymers, powders, oils, resins, paints …) and their properties, the reactions with their environment can be infinite. It is therefore essential for manufacturers to analyze the ability of the material to flow in order to exploit it in the best way in the production process.
Indeed, understanding the rheology of polymers is important for the development and manufacture of many products, such as plastics, rubbers, adhesives, coatings and composite materials. It is also important in fields such as medicine, where the rheological properties of polymers play a key role in the development of materials for implants and medical devices.
Our FAQ
What materials are involved in rheological analysis?
Rheological analysis can be carried out on a wide variety of materials:
Polymers: Polymers, whether natural or synthetic, are often studied for their viscoelastic behaviour, which combines the properties of elastic solids and viscous fluids.
Complex fluids: These include emulsions, suspensions, gels, and non-Newtonian fluids (whose viscosity changes with applied stress), which are common in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
Construction materials: Concrete and other construction materials are analysed for their rheological behaviour in order to optimise their application and durability.
Chemical and petroleum products: Oils, lubricants and other chemical products are studied to ensure their performance under different temperature and pressure conditions.
What are the differences between viscoelastic, viscous and elastic properties?
Elastic materials are characterized by their ability to return to their original shape after being deformed. This elastic behaviour is temporary and disappears once the force is removed, with typical examples including rubber and steel, within its elastic limits.
Viscous materials, on the other hand, do not return to their original shape after the application of a force. Their deformation continues for as long as the force is applied, as illustrated by substances such as oil, where viscosity determines resistance to movement.
Viscoelastic materials combine elastic and viscous properties, being able to deform under load and recover their original shape slowly once the load is removed. This behaviour is time-dependent, mixing elastic recovery and viscous deformation, as observed in some polymers.
Why carry out a rheological analysis on polymers?
Rheological analysis of polymers plays a crucial role in understanding their physical properties and optimising their use in various applications.
- Rheological analysis helps to optimise polymer processing conditions, such as extrusion and injection moulding. By understanding the viscoelastic behaviour of the polymer, manufacturers can adjust process parameters to improve efficiency, reduce defects and ensure the quality of the final product.
- Polymer composites, which combine polymers with reinforcements such as glass fibres or nanoparticles, offer improved properties such as mechanical strength and durability. Rheological analysis is used to understand how the addition of these reinforcements affects the behaviour of the material, facilitating the development of composites with targeted properties.
- Thermal stability is essential for polymers used in environments subject to high temperatures. Rheological analysis at different temperatures can assess how the viscoelastic properties of the material change with temperature, helping to select appropriate polymers.
Polymers are often used as thickening agents, stabilisers or release controllers in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. Rheological analysis helps to understand how polymers affect the viscosity and flow behaviour of formulations, enabling the development of products with precise textures and properties.
Rheological analysis of polymers is essential for guiding research and development, optimising manufacturing processes and designing innovative products that meet the specific needs of industries and consumers.
