Accessory for MCR:
Humidity Option

Precise control of temperature and relative humidity

In combination with the CTD 180 Humidity Ready, the Humidity Option enables reliable control of temperature and relative humidity in the surrounding air – covering a range of 5 °C to 120 °C and 5 % RH to 95 % RH. Keep the relative humidity and temperature constant during measurement or change them in a ramped or stepwise manner. Precisely characterize sample properties even at high relative humidity, thanks to the humidity test chamber’s design and directed dry air flow, which prevent water condensation.

Flexible setup for all kinds of rheological characterizations

In addition to standard geometries (e.g., parallel-plate and cone-plate), special geometries (e.g., partitioned ring) can be used in combination with the Humidity Option to characterize the sample under shear. This allows a reproducible shear rheological characterization of drying effects and curing. In this way, it is possible to study the influence of relative humidity not only on adhesives or sealants, paints and coatings, but also on food, cosmetics, and even hydrogels used in pharmaceuticals or in the life science sector. In addition, the Humidity Option can be used with measuring systems that support extensional rheological investigations, enabling the characterization of thin foils and films as affected by temperature and relative humidity.

Ready for DMA in torsion, tension, bending, and compression mode

The Humidity Option can be used for an MCR rheometer with one  or two EC drives  as well as with one linear drive . This allows complete analysis of the materials in all deformation modes (torsion, tension, bending, and compression).

For example, the influence of relative humidity on the behavior of hygroscopic viscoelastic solids can be determined in the humidity control chamber by dynamic mechanical analysis. This offers the possibility to characterize hygroscopic polymers (e.g., polyamide) but also materials used for capsule shells in the pharmaceutical or cosmetic industry (e.g., gelatin) or food systems. In such materials, water can act as a plasticizer and reduce the mechanical properties but can also change the glass transition temperature or the volume.

Solutions for material characterization beyond standard methods

You can also combine the Humidity Option with accessories that can be used for characterizations beyond standard methods. An example is the combination with suitable accessories for the characterization of powder rheology , which allows the analysis of the influence of relative humidity on the flowability and cohesion of powders. Furthermore, the combination with a tribology cell  enables study of the impact of relative humidity on the tribological properties of water-absorbing materials, such as hygroscopic polymers. The Humidity Option can also be used together with a UV Light Curing System . This opens a new field of material characterization (e.g., hydrogels for 3D printing in medical applications).

Easy setup and complete control via the RheoCompass software

Like all standard accessories that can be connected to the MCR rheometer, the Humidity Option features the Toolmaster function, which allows the accessory to be recognized and set up directly in the RheoCompass software. This means you can easily define and control all relevant set parameters and record environmental parameters, temperature, and relative humidity simultaneously with the rheological and dynamic mechanical results.