Abstract: Apparatus and a method for generating data for measuring rheological/viscoelastic properties of curing rubber samples. A stressing mechanism having a variable displacement including a maximum displacement causes variable stress in a curing rubber sample. A measuring mechanism generates measurements of instantaneous stress in the rubber sample while curing, on command. A timer mechanism senses maximum displacement and generates both a maximum displacement signal and a time interval passage signal. The time interval passage signal occurs upon passage of a time interval after maximum displacement. A controller receives and acts upon the maximum displacement signal and the time interval passage signal to command the measuring mechanism to measure instantaneous stress corresponding to maximum displacement and instantaneous stress corresponding to passage of the time interval.

Abstract: A rheometer and process of curing and testing rubber samples precisely controls each cure and test. The maximum resistance, or more specifically, maximum torque at peak stress, is predicted for each sample automatically as curing progresses. Each cure and test is terminated as soon as maximum resistance is predicted, thereby shortening each cure and test from about one-quarter to one-third.