Linear Viscoelastic Region: Why It’s Crucial in Materials Testing

Engineered Materials, Food Products, Mechanical Testing, Pharmaceuticals, Polymers, Rheology

Our world is brimming with viscoelastic materials: The dough you knead before baking a fresh loaf, the Silly Putty your toddler slaps against the wall, the rubber gaskets that create an airtight seal on an airplane door. Testing those materials by applying controlled deformations (strains) or forces (stresses) at various timescales, temperatures, and/or humidities allows for the optimization of properties and ensures durability and safety.

Composites Industry Blog

Overcoming Composites R&D Challenges with Material Analysis

Composites, Mechanical Testing, Rheology, Thermal Analysis

The composites market is evolving fast. Global market projections indicate a 10.8 % growth by 2028, driven by the demand for composites across industries looking for materials with superior performance at reduced weight and cost. This blog explores how advanced material analysis can enhance R&D and manufacturing processes in the composites market, ultimately leading to financial savings and increased efficiency.

Close up of granulated plastic waste on a recycling plant for pl

Characterization Considerations when Sourcing PCR

Polymers, Rheology, Thermal Analysis

Against the backdrop of a plastic waste crisis, the global demand for plastic is set to quadruple by 2060. This has driven a shift toward sustainability and away from linear use models of plastic production. Post-consumer resin (PCR) has emerged as a key player in circular economy initiatives, though ensuring the quality and performance of PCR requires several characterization considerations.

electrode slurries

How to Optimize Battery Electrode Slurries with Rheology

Batteries & Battery Materials, Blog Applications, Blog Techniques, Rheology

From lightweight laptops to cross-country EV driving, countless applications require increasing lithium-ion batteries’ energy density and performance. Since battery electrodes directly contribute to these aspects of battery function, electrodes and their components are of particular interest to battery researchers seeking to advance technology to the next level. Battery slurry processing is also a key step of manufacturing, offering significant opportunities to increase efficiency while reducing cost.

The Science of Sandcastles

Adhesives & Sealants, Blog Applications, Blog Techniques, Rheology

Summer’s blue skies and warm temperatures beckon us to the beach. After all, summer is synonymous with fun in the sun, surf, and sand. And what is a day in the sand without building a sandcastle? While rising tides can be every sandcastle builder’s enemy, the ocean is also their greatest ally. That’s because damp sand sticks together, allowing sandcastle magic. Dry, powdery sand may feel nice but it’s no friend of castle building and a large part of that is down to cohesion. Quick tests of moist and dry sand showed a 10x difference in cohesion!