Rheology creep tests

There are several other comparable rheological experimental methods involving linear viscoelastic behavior. Among them are creep tests (constant stress), dynamic mechanical fatigue tests (forced periodic oscillation), and torsion pendulum tests (free oscillation). Viscoelastic data obtained from any of these techniques must be consistent data from the others. 

Rossi et al. [30] evaluated rheologically mucins of different origin with polyacrylic acid and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. The same group also reported a novel rheological approach based on a stationary viscoelastic test (creep test) to describe the interaction between mucoadhesive polymers and mucins [31,32]. Jabbari et al. [33] used attenuated total-reflection infrared spectroscopy to investigate the ehain interpenetration of polyaciylic acid in the mucin interface. 

A variety of rheological tests can be used to evaluate the nature and properties of different network structures in foods. The strength of bonds in a fat crystal network can be evaluated by stress relaxation and by the decrease in elastic recovery in creep tests as a function of loading time (deMan et al. 1985). Van Kleef et al. (1978) have reported on the determination of the number of crosslinks in a protein gel from its mechanical and swelling properties. Oakenfull (1984) used shear modulus measurements to estimate the size and thermodynamic stability of junction zones in noncovalently cross-linked gels. 

The creep test is a simple and inexpensive test for viscoelastic foods which provides valuable information on the rheological parameters. Davis (1973) pointed out that indeed too much information can be obtained from the creep test. For example, an eight-parameter rheological model defined by eleven parameters was required for shortening and lard. One drawback with creep studies using concentric cylinder systems is that the materials structure is disturbed when the sample is being loaded. 

The creep test is a related way of obtaining time-dependent rheological information. In it, a constant shear stress, rather than a constant shear rate, is imposed on the material, and the shear rate is measured as a function of time until a steady shear rate is obtained. The creep test is especially useful for measuring the yield stress imposed stress is below cr the steady-state shear rate will be zero. 

Figure 6.2 High-temperature tensile creep testing apparatus. (Reproduced from Leaderman, H. (1962) Large longitudinal retarded elastic deformation of rubberlike network polymers. Trans. Soc. RheoL, 6, 361. Copyright (1962) Society of Rheology.)...

Four modes of characterization are of interest chemical analyses, ie, quaUtative and quantitative analyses of all components mechanical characterization, ie, tensile and impact testing morphology of the mbber phase and rheology at a range of shear rates. Other properties measured are stress crack resistance, heat distortion temperatures, flammabiUty, creep, etc, depending on the particular appHcation (239). 

The creep-compliance technique has been used extensively by Sherman and co-workers for the study of ice cream, model emulsions, margarine, and butter (Sherman, 1966 Shama and Sherman, 1969 Vernon Carter and Sherman, 1980 Sherman and Benton, 1980). In these studies, the methodology employed was similar to that for ice cream, that is, the creep-compliance data on a sample were described in terms of mechanical models, usually containing four or six elements. Attempts were made to relate the parameters of the models to the structure of the samples studied. However, with increased emphasis on dynamic rheological tests and interpretation of results in terms of composition and structure, the use of mechanical models to interpret results of rheological tests has declined steadily. 

Devices are secured to the skin by use of a skin-compatible pressure-sensitive adhesive, usually based on silicones, acrylates or polyisobutylenes. These adhesives are evaluated by shear-testing and assessment of rheological parameters (Musolf 1987). Standard rheological tests include creep compliance (measurement of the ability of the adhesive to flow into... 

In the present work the effect of temperature on the rheological behaviour of wheat gluten in D20 is compared to that in water. The viscoelastic response was studied in shear by combining dynamical measurements and creep and recovery tests, in order to encompass a large timescale. 

Rheological measurements were performed in shear using a stress controlled rheometer (Carri-Med CSL 100) operating in cone-plate geometry. Each sample is submitted successively to a first frequency sweep in range 10 3-40 Hz under 3% strain, to a creep and recovery test, and finally to a second frequency sweep identical to the first one. The dynamical strain amplitude (3%) and the value of the creep stress (chosen so as to keep the maximum strain below 10%) were set in order to remain within the linear viscoelasticity domain. Creep and creep recovery were recorded during 20 h and 80 h, respectively, times which allowed the steady state to be reached in all cases. A fresh sample was used for each solvent/temperature combination. 

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