Tab_02_-_Specifications.pdf

Minimum required specification for a Modular Rheometer for Tack Testing Applications:

1. The rheometer shall be modular in design such that an array of different capabilities can be incorporated into the rheometer. The modules should interface with the rheometer such that they operate as plug and play applications.

2. The rheometer shall be capable of supporting a twin-drive configuration, which is to say that the rheometer shall be equipped with a single motor positioned above the test section but be outfitted to accept a second motor mounted below the test section.

3. The equipped motor shall:

a. Operate on an air bearing.

b. Be an EC (brushless DC) motor with a high-resolution optical encoder.

c. Exhibit no signal drift when held at a fixed torque for 60 minutes.

d. Exhibit a maximum torque of 230 mNm and a minimal rotational and oscillatory torque of 1 and 0.5 mNm, respectively.

e. Be capable of accommodating an angular deflection set value ranging from 0.05 to infinite radians.

f. Exhibit an angular velocity range from 10-9 to 314 radians/s.

g. Exhibit an angular frequency range from 10-7 to 628 radians/s.

h. Exhibit an integrated non-contact normal force sensor with a range from

0.005 to 50 N.

4. The rheometer shall be equipped with RFID-based automatic detection capabilities for the purpose of readily identifying which components are installed on the device.

5. The rheometer shall be equipped with an integrated adaptable piezo flange capable of nano-scale precision in gap adjustment to maintain a measured gap over long periods of time.

6. The rheometer shall be equipped with an environmental chamber capable of controlling both temperature and humidity.

a. The environmental chamber shall be capable of:

i. Attaining a humidity range from 5-95% relative humidity.

ii. Attaining a temperature range from 5-90 °C.

b. The environmental chamber shall interface with a circulation thermostat provided with the instrument.

i. The circulation thermostat shall be capable of supporting temperatures from -35 to 200 °C.

7. The rheometer shall be equipped with a Sentmanat extensional rheometer (SER) fixture.

a. The SER fixture shall be capable of:

i. Solid tensile testing

ii. Peel testing

iii. Fracture testing

iv. Extension rheology of melts and elastomers

v. Fluid immersion testing

8. The rheometer shall be equipped with an extended thermal control chamber (oven).

a. The thermal control chamber shall be capable of interfacing with cone/plate and parallel plate geometries.

b. The thermal control chamber shall include flow meter units.

c. The chamber shall be capable of attaining a temperature range from -130 -

620 °C through coupling with a low temperature evaporation unit.

i. The low temperature evaporation unit shall utilize a liquid nitrogen dewar.

9. The rheometer shall include the following fixtures:

a. Lower measuring plate with a diameter of 25 mm

b. Lower measuring plate with a diameter of 50 mm

c. Measuring plate with a diameter of 8 mm

d. Measuring plate with a diameter of 4 mm

e. Measuring cone with a diameter of 50 mm and an angle of 1°

10. The rheometer shall interface with a computer that comes with the instrument.

a. The desktop computer shall be Windows 7 compatible.

b. The computer shall enable data transfer using a USB port.

c. The computer shall come with a monitor.

d. The computer shall be have significant storing capabilities, > 100 GB of free space.

11. Software for the rheometer shall come with the instrument and be capable of:

a. Enabling facile testing through the control which actions to be performed, for what duration, and what order.

b. Enabling facile analysis of data through the ability to create, save, and select analysis procedures.

c. Generating custom reports and presentations.

d. Enable data export through ASCII formatted files.

e. Safeguarding data integrity through back-up and archiving capabilities.

12. The vendor shall install the rheometer and provide on-site training for the operation of the instrument.

13. The vendor shall provide 3 years of service for the instrument to include:

a. An all-inclusive 3 year warranty

b. An annual preventative maintenance visit.

c. The vendor shall accept

Note: The government has a Rheometric Scientific ARES Test Station, P/N 700-02655, that it wishes to trade-in. In their quote, vendor shall provide a price for this trade-in.