Rotary rheometer ARES-G3™

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Overview
The advanced rheometer ARES-G3™ (TA Instruments) extends rheological capability by delivering higher-fidelity data across a wider range of test conditions. Built on decades of rheology development, the platform captures real material behaviour with fewer adjustments and improved measurement quality.

Key benefits

• Measurement accuracy: Force Rebalance Transducer (FRT) and Separate Motor/Transducer (SMT) architecture reduce motor-induced artefacts and minimize frequent calibrations.
• Data and performance: Dual high-speed data acquisition and enhanced sampling deliver higher data density and improved traceability across dynamic conditions.
• Usability and efficiency: Modern software and optimised workflows reduce setup time and routine calibration needs.

SMT and FRT technology
The SMT design decouples the drive motor from the sensing transducer to eliminate dynamic motor interference. The stationary FRT measures sample response with minimal disturbance, enabling reliable detection of subtle behaviours (e.g., LAOS and soft/complex materials).

Experimental environment

• Versatile temperature systems: Forced-convection oven (FCO) and Advanced Peltier System (APS) for wide temperature ranges and fast heating/cooling profiles.
• Simultaneous measurement options: Support for simultaneous analytical techniques (dielectric, electric fields, UV) and SmartSwap accessories for plug-and-play changeovers.

Features for next-generation testing

• High-speed acquisition and fast frequency-chirp methods (optimally windowed chirps) to dramatically shorten test times, particularly at low frequencies.
• Intuitive controls via touchscreen and improved keypad with support for complex, user-defined deformation profiles.
• Access to raw phase angles and waveform data for advanced material analysis.

Typical applications

• Thermosets: Cure characterisation, gelation and viscoelastic transitions during heating.
• Complex fluids: Emulsions, suspensions and slurries with multiphase behaviour and complex mechanical responses.
• Polymer melts: Elongational viscosity, melt rheology and analysis to optimise polymer processing.

Table (Mechanical properties)
Mechanical properties - Measured material characteristic
Young's modulus - Stiffness
Yield strength - Maximum stress before permanent deformation
Tensile strength - Maximum stress sustained by the material
Elongation at break - Change in length at rupture
Fatigue limit - Durability under cyclic loading
Creep compliance - Time-dependent deformation under constant load
Stress relaxation - Decrease of stress over time under constant strain
Fracture toughness - Stress intensity at fracture
Fatigue crack growth - Crack propagation under repeated loading

Technical specifications

• Force/torque Force Rebalance Transducer (sample stress): oscillatory minimum torque 0.02 µN·m; steady shear minimum torque 0.1 µN·m; torque resolution 1 nN·m; normal/axial force range 0.001 to 20 N.
• Drive motor (sample deformation): maximum motor torque 800 mN·m; strain resolution 0.04 µrad; minimum angular displacement in oscillation 1 µrad; angular velocity range 1×10⁻⁶ rad/s to 300 rad/s; angular frequency range 1×10⁻⁷ rad/s to 628 rad/s; speed step response 5 ms; strain step response 10 ms.
• Temperature systems: Forced-convection oven (FCO) 150 °C to 600 °C; Advanced Peltier System (APS) 10 °C to 150 °C.
• Additional capabilities: dual high-speed data acquisition, support for advanced tests (LAOS, OSP, DMA, extensional rheology), compatibility with accessories and simultaneous measurement modules.