APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING VISCO-ELASTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A SAMPLE

摘要

Apparatus for measuring the fluid characteristics of a sample (26) comprises support member (24) providing a flat surface on which the sample may be placed and a cover member (22), carried by stages (16, 14) which may be moved vertically to position the members (22, 24) at a preselected spacing. Piezo-electric means (17) is provided for vibrating the member (24) rectilinearly as indicated by the arrow (D) and a force transducer (15) detects the phase angle and amplitude of the vibration transmitted through the sample. Relationship between the vibration applied by the device (17) and those received by the transducer (15) are used by a controlling computer to calculate the characteristics of the sample. The sample may be heated by moving the lower member (24) into contact with a heat transfer fluid (32) carried by a temperature controlled member (28). The apparatus can operate over a wide range of frequencies; the sample temperature can be accurately controlled.