Abstract: A method for testing a coating for blade roots, includes: providing a disk test piece including at least one bearing surface and a blade test piece including at least one bearing surface coated with the coating to be tested, the blade test piece including two test piece halves adapted to be engaged on either side of the disk test piece, and subjecting the blade test piece engaged with the disk test piece to tensile cycles during which the test pieces undergo tensile stress with respect to each other in a tensile direction, the tensile strain being transmitted via the bearing surfaces contacting the blade test piece and the disk test piece. The method allows for very faithful reproduction of the behavior and ageing of the coating and thus allows for accurate evaluation of the quality of the coatings.

Abstract: A mounting system for samples and instruments for use with a measuring device such as a surface forces apparatus has a housing and a sample mount assembly positioned within the housing. The sample mount assembly has a pivot arm having a first edge and a flexing section. A spring has a first end coupled to the pivot arm. A first sample holder is coupled to the second end of the spring. A second sample holder is positioned in proximity to the first sample holder.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring the yield value of flowable material in a flow of flowable material comprise iteratively wetting a measuring body by the flowable material at a relatively constant temperature, subsequently permitting the flowable material to discharge for a discharge time so that the measuring body achieves approximately constant weight, using a functional unit in communication with the measuring body to determine a residual quantity of the flowable material which adheres to the measuring body after the discharge time, and determining the yield value of the flowable material based upon the quantity of the flowable material adhering on the measuring body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring the yield value of flowable material in a flow of flowable material comprise iteratively wetting a measuring body by the flowable material at a relatively constant temperature, subsequently permitting the flowable material to discharge for a discharge time so that the measuring body achieves approximately constant weight, using a functional unit in communication with the measuring body to determine a residual quantity of the flowable material which adheres to the measuring body after the discharge time, and determining the yield value of the flowable material based upon the quantity of the flowable material adhering on the measuring body.

Abstract: A test apparatus and method for predicting the minimum runnable flow of a curtain coating fluid by forcing the coating fluid out of a small round tube opening with less flow rate than is required for momentum to exceed the contracting forces of surface tension. The minimum flow rate is a measure of the combined effects of the surface tension, viscosity, elasticity, and dilitant behavior of the coating fluid which influence the stretch and acceleration of the fluid, that in turn, characterize the runnability of the fluid for a full scale curtain coating process. The velocity of the coating as it lands can also be determined from the flow rate and acceleration to predict whether the coating fluid will run or not before it is applied to a web or substrate.

Abstract: Methods to predict the rheological properties of composition comprising a filler in a matrix are described. The present invention further involves determining the difference between the work of cohesion and the work of ahhesion for a filler and a matrix in order to quantitatively predict the rheological properties of the system, such as yield point. The ability to predict such properties has numerous advantages. The present invention further relates to a rheological master curve and a method to produce the curve which permits one to predict a Theological property of a composition comprising a filler in a matrix based on the particular polymer used and the particular filler used. Also disclosed is a method of method of choosing a filler to achieve a desired rheological property using the theological master curve described herein.

Abstract: A test apparatus and method for predicting the minimum runnable flow of a curtain coating fluid by forcing the coating fluid out of a small round tube opening with less flow rate than is required for momentum to exceed the contracting forces of surface tension. The minimum flow rate is a measure of the combined effects of the surface tension, viscosity, elasticity, and dilitant behavior of the coating fluid which influence the stretch and acceleration of the fluid, that in turn, characterize the runnability of the fluid for a full scale curtain coating process. The velocity of the coating as it lands can also be determined from the flow rate and acceleration to predict whether the coating fluid will run or not before it is applied to a web or substrate.

Abstract: A viscosity and viscoelasticity measuring instrument has a cam, a follower arm, a flat spring, a plate fixture, and a removable plate assembly. The cam is a rotating circular disk with a spiral slot. A cam follower on the follower arm resides in the spiral slot so that the follower arm pivots about its fixed end as the cam rotates. The spring is attached to and collinear with the fixed end of the follower arm so that the spring pivots in the opposite direction as the follower arm. The removable plate assembly has a lower plate and an upper plate with mating sample surfaces on which test fluid is placed. The lower plate fits into a lower jaw of the plate fixture that is attached to the instrument base. The upper plate fits into an upper jaw of the plate fixture attached to the free end of the spring. A fluid is placed on the lower sample surface. The cam rotates, pushing the follower arm up, causing the spring to pivot down, and pressing the sample surfaces together.

Abstract: A sample surface component for an instrument the measures viscosity and viscoelasticity. The instrument has a cam, a follower arm, a flat spring, a plate fixture, and a removable plate assembly. The cam is a rotating circular disk with a spiral slot. A cam follower on the follower arm resides in the spiral slot so that the follower arm pivots about its fixed end as the cam rotates. The spring is attached to and collinear with the fixed end of the follower arm so that the spring pivots in the opposite direction as the follower arm. The sample surface component include a removable plate assembly with a lower plate and an upper plate with mating sample surfaces on which test fluid is placed. The lower plate fits into a lower jaw of the plate fixture that is attached to the instrument base. The upper plate fits into an upper jaw of the plate fixture attached to the free end of the spring. A fluid is placed on the lower sample surface.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of characterizing the fluid content of chemicals in a reaction line comprises a rheometer. The apparatus can be connected to or included in a reaction flow stream, and has a retractable wall 26 that opens to provide an opening 28 that permits a portion of the reaction flow steam to enter into sampling chamber 12. The sample is isolated from the flow stream and rheometric data is obtained from the sample. In the method of the invention, data on the sample is collected and transferred to a computer. The computer is used to analyze the data, and optionally can be used to control reaction parameters in the reaction flow stream.