Extensional rheometer for in situ x-ray scattering study on flow-induced crystallization of polymer

We designed and constructed an extensional rheometer for in situ small and wide angle x-ray study on flow-induced crystallization of polymer. Two rotating drums with an axis distance of 20 mm are employed to impose extensional deformation on the samples. With a constant angular velocity, the two drums generate a constant Henkcy strain rate as sample length for testing keeps constant during deformation. An ionic liquid is used as heating medium to prevent polymer melt from bending downward due to gravity, which is excellent in terms of high thermal stability, low viscosity, and relative low adsorption on x-ray. Flow-induced crystallization experiments are conducted with this apparatus on x-ray scattering station in Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), which allows us to collect rheological and structural data simultaneously and may lead to a better understanding on flow-induced crystallization of polymer. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3574219]