Eight Decades In One Rheometer: Exploring the dynamics of complex polymers, measuring from millihertz to a hundred kilohertz in a single device*

We present an investigation of the shear mechanical dynamics of filled and unfilled rubbers across eight decades in frequency.

Using experience from the science of glasses and viscous liquids, we developed a shear rheometer capable of measuring polymer moduli across an extremely broad range of frequencies (1 mHz-100 kHz).

The rheometer is applied in the investigation of filled and unfilled rubbers spanning a temperature range of more than 100 K.

In combination, this has done away with the need for assuming time-temperature superposition or the construction of master curves.

The work has applications in polymer science, as well as in industry.

A motivation has been the possibility of investigating tyre rubbers under conditions closely resembling the end use in terms of frequencies and temperatures.

This work was supported by the Villum Foundation’s Matter grant (grant no. 16515) and by Innovation Fund Denmark (case no. 9065-00002B).