MDR2000 Rheometer

Curemeter Technology at its best
The Alpha Technologies MDR 2000 Moving Die Rheometer has set the world standard for curemeter technology. The two directly heated low mass, biconical dies give fast and accurate thermal recovery. The oscillating lower die eliminates the need for a rotor as used in an oscillating disc rheometer, giving substantial benefits in thermal recovery and data accuracy. Reaction torque is measured by a transducer attached to the upper die, with bearing and seal friction no longer influencing torque measurement.

The torque signal is calibrated independently using a torque standard with a known, traceable value. This ensures long term accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility. The uniquely sealed sample cavity design provides superior test repeatability and sensitivity to compound variations. Temperature control is by a fully optimized control system providing rapid temperature response. These features, together with the highly sensitive torque measurement and the latest microprocessor technology offer the best in curing technology.
 

MDR 2000 benefits
Excellent torque signal to noise ratio giving
unrivalled sensitivity to cure
Greater repeatability and reproducibility in torque measurement and cure times than other Rheometers
Improved test productivity
Fast temperature response
Measurement of both viscous and elastic components for cured and uncured dynamic properties.
Major features
Unsurpassed precision
tests measure compound characteristics for quality control and development. The MDR 2000 is designed to minimize operator and instrument influences on results, giving unsurpassed precision.

Sensitivity
The MDR 2000 has been developed to be the most sensitive rheometer available. Decoupling the torque transducer from the drive mechanism ensures the highest possible sensitivity. In quality control applications sensitivity is critical as it allows the operator to detect small variations in rubber compound ingredients from batch to batch. The MDR 2000 is designed to routinely detect 3-4% variation in compound composition. Conversely in product development applications, sensitivity enables the property variation in end product to be predicted as the composition of the compound is changed.

Repeatability
In today 's demanding business environment product quality is essential. test results must truly represent the sample and not variations due to the instrument or operator. Repeatability is the consistency of measurement that is observed when many specimens from the same batch are tested on an instrument. The MDR 2000 has greater sensitivity and repeatability than any other rheometer on the market.

Reproducibility
Many companies have multiple sites, and it is important that product from these sites is of uniform quality. In order to meet this demanding market requirement the MDR 2000 has been developed to deliver excellent machine to machine reproducibility.

Easy sample loading and unloading
Alpha Technologies designed the MDR 2000 with the needs of the operator in mind. The rotorless design ensures easy loading and unloading of the samples. Alpha Technologies has pioneered the use of films to reduce die contamination, eliminating problems of rubber/metal bonding compounds. Sheets of polyester or polyamide film between the sample and the dies facilitates routine testing and sample removal.

Other benefits include:

Reduced die contamination
Reduced die wear
Reduced die cleaning
Increased seal life
Automation - making your life easier

The MDR Auto is the first rheometer automation system for routine analysis designed to increase productivity and release operators for other tasks. Our automated systems have been in use worldwide since 1992, working around the clock, 365 days a year. The patented system automatically loads and unloads test samples and consists of a rotary tray staging system, sample loading arm, film transport system and a controller. These components can be retro-fitted to an existing MDR 2000.

Unique, simple and reliable handling system:
Is widely used in production environments, testing a full range of compound types worldwide
Increases productivity -reducing test costs
Provides a high testing capacity -multi-tray unit holds up to 100 samples
Enables overnight testing without operator attention
Removes partially cured and difficult to extract samples
Provides a fresh film surface for each test
Improves R &D productivity
Sample cutter 2000R

This robust cutter is recommended to minimize sample preparation time and maximize productivity. The dual action pneumatically operated press provides, rapid, precise preparation of constant-volume samples for testing, thereby optimizing repeatability and reproducibility.

Complete control of your testing instruments and laboratory management data.
The basic MDR 2000 is able to send a predefined set of calculated test results to an external printer. Typical data points include S', S", and tan delta at ML and MH;ts1 and ts2;tc10, tc50 and tc90 as defined by international standards. This configuration prints one copy only while the test is running. The addition of a computer and software system enables a comprehensive range of data points to be recorded, stored and analyzed either on line or at later date.

From the simple to the more complex
Simple chart recorder replacement software designed to carry out all the functions of a traditional chart recorder combined with the benefits of modern computers. Quality control software for on-line testing, including control gates, trend charts and SPC data analysis. Development software capable of calculating a wide variety of data points for compound research. Multiple instrument connection software for complex networks designed to cater for a range of applications from QC to recipe development.