Discovery Hybrid Rheometer

(DHR Series)

Getting Started Guide

Revision B Issued April 2013

 Notice

The material contained in this manual, and in the online help for the software used to support this instru-
ment, is believed adequate for the intended use of the instrument. If the instrument or procedures are used
for purposes other than those specified herein, confirmation of their suitability must be obtained from TA
Instruments. Otherwise, TA Instruments does not guarantee any results and assumes no obligation or liabil-
ity. TA Instruments also reserves the right to revise this document and to make changes without notice.
TA Instruments may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual prop-
erty covering subject matter in this document. Except as expressly provided in written license agreement
from TA Instruments, the furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these patents, trade-
marks, copyrights, or other intellectual property.
TA Instruments Operating Software, as well as Module, Data Analysis, and Utility Software and their asso-
ciated manuals and online help, are proprietary and copyrighted by TA Instruments. Purchasers are granted
a license to use these software programs on the module and controller with which they were purchased.
These programs may not be duplicated by the purchaser without the prior written consent of TA Instru-
ments. Each licensed program shall remain the exclusive property of TA Instruments, and no rights or
licenses are granted to the purchaser other than as specified above.

©2013 by
TA Instruments — Waters LLC
159 Lukens Drive
New Castle, DE 19720

Page 2 DHR Series Getting Started Guide

 Introduction

Important: TA Instruments Manual Supplement

Please click the TA Manual Supplement link to access the following important information
supplemental to this Getting Started Guide:
• TA Instruments Trademarks
• TA Instruments Patents
• Other Trademarks
• TA Instruments End-User License Agreement
• TA Instruments Offices

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 3

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings

This manual uses NOTES, CAUTIONS, and WARNINGS to emphasize important and critical
instructions.

NOTE: A NOTE highlights important information about equipment or procedures.

CAUTION: A CAUTION emphasizes a procedure that may damage equipment or cause loss of data if not fol-
lowed correctly.

A WARNING indicates a procedure that may be hazardous to the operator or

to the environment if not followed correctly.

Regulatory Compliance

Safety Standards
For Canada
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-1 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and
laboratory use, Part 1: General Requirements.
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-2-010 Particular requirements for laboratory equipment for the heating of
materials.
For European Economic Area
(In accordance with Council Directive 2006/95/EC of 12 December 2006 on the harmonization of the laws
of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits.)
EN 61010-1:2001 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory
use, Part 1: General Requirements + Amendments.
EN 61010-2-010:2003 Particular requirements for laboratory equipment for the heating of materials +
Amendments.
For United States
UL61010-1:2004 Electrical Equipment for Laboratory Use; Part 1: General Requirements.
UL61010A-2-010:2002 Particular requirements for laboratory equipment for the heating of materials +
Amendments.

Page 4 DHR Series Getting Started Guide

Electromagnetic Compatibility Standards
For Australia and New Zealand
AS/NZS CISPR11:2004 Limits and methods of measurement of electronic disturbance characteristics of
industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio frequency equipment.
For Canada
ICES-001 Issue 4 June 2006 Interference-Causing Equipment Standard: Industrial, Scientific, and Medical
Radio Frequency Generators.
For the European Economic Area
(In accordance with Council Directive 2004/108/EC of 15 December 2004 on the approximation of the
laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility.)
EN61326-1:2006 Electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use-EMC requirements-
Part 1: General Requirements. Emissions: Meets Class A requirements per CISPR 11. Immunity: Per
Table 1 - Basic immunity test requirements.
For the United States
CFR Title 47 Telecommunication Chapter I Federal Communications Commission, Part 15 Radio
frequency devices (FCC regulation pertaining to radio frequency emissions).

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 5

Safety
Do not attempt to service this instrument, as it contains no user-serviceable components.

Required Equipment
While operating this instrument, you must wear eye protection that either meets or exceeds ANSI Z87.1
standards. Additionally, wear protective clothing that has been approved for protection against the
materials under test and the test temperatures.

Instrument Symbols
The following label is displayed on the instrument for your protection:

Symbol Explanation

This symbol on the DHR indicates that you should read this Getting Started
Guide for important safety information. This guide contains important warnings
and cautions related to the installation, operation, and safety of the instrument.

This symbol indicates that a hot surface may be present. Take care not to touch
this area or allow any material that may melt or burn to come in contact with
this hot surface.

This symbol indicates that you are advised to consult this manual for
instructions.

Please heed the warning labels and take the necessary precautions when dealing with these areas. This
Getting Started Guide contains cautions and warnings that must be followed for your own safety.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 6

Warnings

WARNING: This equipment must not be mounted on a flammable surface if low

flashpoint material is being analyzed.

WARNING: An extraction system may be required if the heating of materials

could lead to liberation of hazardous gasses.

WARNING: It is recommended that this instrument be serviced by trained and

skilled TA Instruments personnel at least once a year.

WARNING: The material used on the top surface of the Peltier Plate is hard,
chrome-plated copper and the material used for the 'skirt' of the Peltier is stain-
less steel. Therefore, use an appropriate cleaning material when cleaning the
Peltier Plate.

WARNING: The internal components of the ETC are all constructed from chemi-
cally resistant materials, and can therefore be cleaned with standard laboratory
solvents. The only exception is the cladding for the thermocouples, which
should not be immersed in a solvent for long periods. Use a small amount of
solvent on a soft cloth and wipe the soiled area gently. This procedure should
never be conducted at any temperature other than ambient.

WARNING: During the installation or reinstallation of the instrument, ensure that

the external connecting cables are placed separate from the mains power
cables. Also, ensure that the external connecting cables and the mains power
cables are placed away from any hot external parts of the instrument. Note:
Ensure that the mains power cable is selected such that it is suitable for the
instrument that is being installed or reinstalled, paying particular attention to the
current rating of both the cable and the instrument.

WARNING: The various surfaces and pipes of the ETC and the supply Dewar can
get cold during use. These cold surfaces cause condensation and, in some
cases, frost to build up. This condensation may drip to the floor. Provisions to
keep the floor dry should be made. If any moisture does drip to the floor, be sure
to clean it up promptly to prevent a slipping hazard.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 7

 WARNING: Always unplug the instrument before performing any maintenance.

WARNING: No user serviceable parts are contained in the rheometer. Mainte-

nance and repair must be performed by TA Instruments or other qualified ser-
vice personnel only.

WARNING: This instrument must be connected to an earthed (grounded) power

supply. If this instrument is used with an extension lead, the earth (ground) con-
tinuity must be maintained.

WARNING: Take adequate precautions prior to heating of materials if it can lead

to explosion, implosion or the release of toxic or flammable gasses.

WARNING: The Starch Pasting Cell (SPC) impeller is constructed from a rigid
polymer composite material of density about 1.6 g cm-3. The usual operating
angular speed is 160 rpm (16.76 radians per second). Under these conditions
the unit is unlikely to provide a significant hazard to the user, and only the
normal precautions observed when operating the rheometer need be taken.

The instrument software does permit operation of the rheometer at its maximum
angular speed, without immersion of the impeller. Take reasonable precautions
to avoid contact with the impeller when it is rotating at high angular speed.
Ensure that clothing, jewelry, etc. does not become entangled in the impeller.

Electrical Safety
Always unplug the instrument before performing any maintenance.
Supply voltage: 110 to 230 VAC
Fuse type: 2 x T15A H250 V
Mains frequency: 50 to 60 Hz
Power: 1.4 kW

DANGER: Because of the high voltages in this instrument, maintenance and

repair of internal parts must be performed by TA Instruments or other qualified
service personnel only.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 8

Liquid Nitrogen Safety

Potential Asphyxiant
WARNING: Liquid nitrogen can cause rapid suffocation without warning.
Store and use in an area with adequate ventilation. Do not vent liquid nitrogen
in confined spaces. Do not enter confined spaces where high concentrations
of nitrogen gas may be present unless the area is well ventilated. The warning
above applies to the use of liquid nitrogen. Oxygen depletion sensors are
sometimes utilized where liquid nitrogen is in use.

Extremes of temperature
During operation, extreme hot or cold surfaces may be exposed. Take
adequate precautions.
Wear safety gloves before removing hot or cold geometries.

Handling Liquid Nitrogen

The ETC uses the cryogenic (low-temperature) agent, liquid nitrogen, for cooling. Because of its low tem-
perature [–195°C (–319°F)], liquid nitrogen will burn the skin. When you work with liquid nitrogen, use
the following precautions:
• Liquid nitrogen evaporates rapidly at room temperature. Be certain that areas where liquid nitrogen is
used are well ventilated to prevent displacement of oxygen in the air.
• Wear goggles or a face shield, gloves large enough to be removed easily, and a rubber apron. For extra
protection, wear high-topped, sturdy shoes, and leave your trouser legs outside the tops.
• Transfer the liquid slowly to prevent thermal shock to the equipment. Use containers that have
satisfactory low-temperature properties. Ensure that closed containers have vents to relieve pressure.
• The purity of liquid nitrogen decreases as the nitrogen evaporates. If much of the liquid in a container
has evaporated, analyze the remaining liquid and gas before using it for any purpose where high oxy-
gen content could be dangerous.
• The oven inner doors have a trough around the bottom of the element assembly for collection of excess
liquid nitrogen. Any excess fluid collected will drain out from the oven at the lower outer edge.
If a person is burned by liquid nitrogen:
1 IMMEDIATELY flood the area (skin or eyes) with large quantities of cool water, then apply cold
compresses.
2 If the skin is blistered or if there is a chance of eye infection, take the person to a doctor IMMEDIATELY.

Chemical Safety
• Do not use hydrogen or any other explosive gas with the ETC.
• Use of chlorine gas will damage the instrument.
• If you are using samples that may emit harmful gases, vent the gasses by placing the instrument
near an exhaust.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 9

Usage Instructions
Before connecting the rheometer to auxiliary equipment, you must ensure that you have read the relevant
installation information. Safety of the rheometer may be impaired if the instrument:
• Shows visible damage
• Fails to perform the intended measurements
• Has been badly stored
• Has been flooded with water
• Has been subjected to severe transport stresses.

Maintenance and Repair

CAUTION: Adjustment, replacement of parts, maintenance and repair should be carried out by trained and
skilled TA personnel only. The instrument should be disconnected from the mains before removal of the cover.

WARNING: The cover should only be removed by authorized personnel. Once the
cover has been removed, live parts are accessible. Both live and neutral supplies
are fused and therefore a failure of a single fuse could still leave some parts live.
The instrument contains capacitors that may remain charged even after being dis-
connected from the supply.

WARNING: Use two people to lift and/or carry the instrument. The instrument is
too heavy for one person to handle safely. Refer to Figure 26 for lift handle loca-
tions.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 10

 Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Important: TA Instruments Manual Supplement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Regulatory Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Safety Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Electromagnetic Compatibility Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Required Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Instrument Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Electrical Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Liquid Nitrogen Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Chemical Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Usage Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Maintenance and Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Chapter 1: About the Discovery Series Rheometers ..................................................................... 13

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
A Brief History of Rheology and the Development of CMT Rheometers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
The Discovery Hybrid Rheometer (DHR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Key Rheometer Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Casting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Ball Slide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Magnetically-Levitated Bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Radial Air Bearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Optical Encoder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Axial Force Transducer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Smart Swap™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Auto GapSet Mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
True Position Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Environmental Control Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Peltier Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Peltier Concentric Cylinders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Upper Heated Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
The Electrically Heated Plate (EHP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
The Starch Pasting Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Asphalt Submersion Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
The Environmental Test Chamber (ETC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Bicone Interfacial Accessory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
The Interfacial Double Wall Ring (DWR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
The Du Noüy Ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
The Pressure Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 11

 The ETC Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
The UV Curing Accessory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Small Angle Light-Scattering (SALS) Accessory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Discovery Series Rheometer Geometries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Smart Swap™ Geometries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Instrument Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Chapter 2: Installing the Instrument .............................................................................................. 39

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Removing the Packaging and Preparing for Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Near . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Away from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Connecting the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Connecting the Rheometer to the Electronics Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Connecting the Computer to the Electronics Box Using Ethernet
Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Connecting Air and Water to the Rheometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Connecting the TA Air-Cooled Peltier Circulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Connecting Motor Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Establishing Power to the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Leveling the Rheometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Installing a Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Chapter 3: Use, Maintenance, and Diagnostics ............................................................................. 47

Startup and Shutdown Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Starting Up the Rheometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Shutting Down the Rheometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Adjusting Brightness of the LCD Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Maintenance and Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Moving the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Startup Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
System Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
FPGA Version Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Power Drive Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
System POST Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Module Status Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Index ................................................................................................................................................... 54

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 12

Chapter 1:
About the Discovery Series Rheometers

Overview
This chapter reviews the history of rheology, and traces the development of combined motor and trans-
ducer (CMT) rheometers. The three models in the Discovery Series are introduced, and brief descriptions
of their main components and accessories are given. Please read this chapter carefully to familiarize
yourself with the terminology used throughout this manual.

A Brief History of Rheology and the Development of CMT Rheometers

In 1929, Professor Eugene Bingham, a physical chemist working at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania,
decided that the study of the deformation and flow of matter was important enough to merit its own title.
On the advice of a Professor of Classics, he coined the term “rheology”, from the Greek rew (rheo) mean-
ing flow. But the discipline of rheology is much older than the word. The first formal scientific description
of a rheological phenomenon appeared in Isaac Newton's Principia Mathematica, published in 1687, where
he suggested that “the resistance which arises from the lack of slipperiness of the parts of [a] liquid, other
things being equal, is proportional to the velocity with which the parts of the liquid are separated from one
another.” Today we would say that the shear stress is proportional to the shear rate, and we would call the
constant of proportionality the viscosity of the liquid. As we now know, Newton's postulate applies only to
a limited class of low molecular weight liquids, over finite ranges of shear rate or stress. Rheology is usu-
ally more concerned with materials whose behavior is non-Newtonian, in that their viscosity is a function
of shear rate or stress. Such materials include polymers, paints, inks, creams, gels, shampoos, drilling flu-
ids, adhesives, and many foodstuffs.
It seems that Newton conducted no experimental work on the viscosity of liquids, and it was not until the
middle of the nineteenth century that work in that area was led by Poiseuille. The operating principle of
most of the early viscometers, including Poiseuille's, was that the fluid was driven by pressure or gravity
through a capillary or other constriction, and the rate of flow measured. Devices of this design are still in
use today, but, although they may have the advantage of simplicity of construction and operation, they
have the drawback that the sample can only be subjected to a finite strain.
However, a great step forward was made in the 1880's when the rotational viscometer was introduced by
Couette and others. In this type of device, the sample is situated either in the annular gap between two con-
centric cylinders, as in Couette's original design, or in the gap between two concentric, horizontally
mounted, parallel platens. One of the cylinders or platens (the stator) is fixed, the other (the rotor) is
rotated, and provided that the rotation can be permanently maintained, there is no limit to the strain that the
sample can be subjected to. In Couette's design, the outer cylinder was fixed, the inner was driven by a
weight connected to it through a series of pulleys. The angular velocity of the rotating cylinder was calcu-
lated from the time taken for the weight to fall. This design is interesting for two reasons, one being that it
was the stress that was controlled (through the weight) rather than the strain or strain rate, the other being
that actuator and detector were mounted on the same axis. It happens that the first of these gave rise to the
term used to describe the successors to this type of viscometer: “controlled stress”. They might alterna-
tively have been described by the second as “combined motor and transducer” (CMT). This term is now
preferred, since modern rheometers can operate in both controlled stress and controlled rate modes.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 13

It was many years before an electrically driven version of Couette's CMT apparatus was developed. The
next major advance in rheological instrumentation was introduced by Weissenberg in the 1940's. Weissen-
berg's intention was to investigate the viscoelasticity of polymer melts and solutions, but the viscometers
that existed at the time were not suitable for this study. This led to the next advance in instrumentation.
The study of elasticity parallels closely the study of viscosity. The first scientific reference to elasticity was
made by Robert Hooke, a correspondent and rival of Newton's, who published his famous anagram “CEI-
INOSSITTUU” in 1676, revealed as “ut tensio sic uis” (as the extension, so the force) in 1679. Hooke's
Law, as it came to be called, was supported by experimental observation, but it was not until the work of
Young in the early nineteenth century that it was realized that the law could be applied to material proper-
ties, rather than simply to extensive sample properties. In modern terminology, we would summarize
Young's findings by saying that the strain is proportional to the stress, and we would refer to the “constant
of proportionality” as the “modulus of the material.” Later in the nineteenth century, the work of Maxwell,
Voigt, Kelvin, Boltzmann and others showed that the distinction between viscous liquids and elastic solids
was not as clear as had previously been thought. Most of the materials listed above as non-Newtonian, are
also viscoelastic, in that they exhibit aspects of both types of behavior. (The names of the scientists who
contributed to the development of rheology reveal its importance: Einstein was also involved, and rheolo-
gists like to say that in their discipline Newton, Maxwell and Einstein did the easy bits.)
To conduct his investigation into polymer viscoelasticity, Weissenberg developed the first modern, electri-
cally driven, rheometer during the early 1940s, the basis of which was a lathe turned on its end. As such it
differed in two very significant ways from the Couette viscometers, firstly in that it was what later became
called a controlled rate rheometer, and secondly in that the actuator and detector were mounted on separate
axes. To adopt the principle of naming used above, this can be called the “separate motor and transducer”
(SMT) design. The principle of operation was that one of the platens of the measuring system was rotated
at a set angular speed, the torque transmitted by the sample being measured at the other platen. Weissen-
berg called his instrument a “Rheogoniometer”, since both the torque and the axial force could be mea-
sured, the latter being used to calculate the normal stress which results from the elasticity of the sample. In
the late 1940s the rheogoniometer was commercialized, but its price was beyond the range of most materi-
als testing laboratories. In 1970 Chris Macosko and Joe Starita formed the Rheometrics company (later
renamed Rheometric Scientific) to produce a lower cost alternative, and launched the first of a long line of
high quality SMT rheometers that led eventually to the modern ARES. Rheometric Scientific was acquired
by TA Instruments in January 2003, and its products continue to be manufactured and developed.
In the meantime, interest revived in CMT instruments, partly because of a desire to perform creep tests,
and partly because of the need to investigate the phenomenon of the yield stress in more detail, for which
the available SMT rheometers lacked the sensitivity. To these ends, Jack Deer, who was employed as a
technician at the London School of Pharmacy, designed a rotational rheometer based on the Couette vis-
cometer, but with the weight replaced, originally by an air-turbine drive, and later by a drag cup motor
(both shown in Figure 1). To reduce the friction in the instrument, an air bearing was introduced. Deer's
first published description of the instrument appeared in 1968 [Davis, Deer and Warburton, J. Sci. Instr. 2,
933-936, 1968]. He began to commercialize it shortly afterwards. In the early 1980's the design was taken
up by the Carri-Med company, at Deer's instigation, and that company launched its first rheometer, the
CSR, in 1984 (shown in Figure 2).

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 14

Figure 1 Jack Deer’s Air Turbine Rheometer (left); Deer Rheometer (right).

Figure 2 CSR.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 15

Carri-Med acquired the rights to the Weissenberg rheogoniometer in 1990, but the mainstay of its business
remained the CMT successors to the Deer, which included the CSL and CSL2 (shown in Figure 3), until
the company was purchased by TA Instruments in 1993. From that time on, progress in CMT technology
has been remarkable, with the AR 1000 launched in 1996 and the AR 2000 in the year 2000 by TA Instru-
ments. Both these instruments used air bearings, but the limits of that technology appear to have been
reached, and for the AR-G2 (Figure 4), launched in 2005, a magnetically levitated bearing was used. This
and other developments by TA Instruments have advanced the instrumentation further. Developments, for
example, in the drag cup motor and the electronics, have led to substantial improvements in the low torque,
controlled rate, and transient performances of the instrument.

Figure 3 CSL2.

Figure 4 AR-G2.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 16

The Discovery Hybrid Rheometer Series (DHR-3, DHR-2, and DHR-1) builds on the AR-G2 technology,
with the DHR-3 setting the new standard for CMT rheometers.

Figure 5 DHR and electronics box.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 17

The Discovery Hybrid Rheometer (DHR)
The Discovery Series rheometers (DHR-3, DHR-2, DHR-1) are the world's most advanced combined
motor and transducer (CMT) rheometers. The systems consist of a main instrument and a separate elec-
tronics box. The interplay between the rheometer main unit and the electronics is described in “Key
Rheometer Components” on page 19.
A schematic of the DHR is given in the figure below.

Head
Draw rod

Motor and bearing

Column

Coolant connections

Smart Swap power/signal

connection
Base
Smart Swap accessory
connector

Front panel

Figure 6 The DHR.

Description
The body of the rheometer is a rigid, single-piece metal casting comprising a base and column.
The instrument head is attached to a ball-slide, which is mounted within the column. The vertical position
of the head is controlled by driving the screw of the ball-slide. The head contains the following:
• The drag cup motor, with an armature that forms the rotating spindle of the rheometer.
• A magnetic thrust bearing that supports the drive shaft and two radial air bearings that align it.
• An optical encoder that determines its angular position.
Each of these components is described in more detail in “Key Rheometer Components” on page 19.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 18

Key Rheometer Components
The main components of the rheometer are described below. If you have a good understanding of the
design and function of each component, it will make efficient use of the rheometer easier. This section
describes, in detail, the design and functions of the:
• Casting
• Ball slide
• Magnetically levitated thrust bearing
• Radial air bearings
• Motor
• Encoder
• Axial force transducer
• Electronics
• Front panel
• Smart swap
• Auto GapSet Mechanism
• Display

Casting
The body of the rheometer is a single-piece aluminium casting, consisting of a base and column. The cast-
ing is an important component of the rheometer, as it needs to be rigid to axial and torsional stresses,
robust, and capable of being machined to high precision and accuracy to ensure correct alignment of the
other components of the instrument. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is used to ensure con-
centricity, flatness and parallelism in the measuring system when attached.

Ball Slide
The instrument head assembly containing the motor, bearing, and optical encoder is mounted on a stiff,
linear motion, precision ball slide guide. The ball slide is mounted within the instrument column. A motor
located in the base of the casting drives the ball slide screw, moving the instrument head vertically. Its posi-
tion is measured by a linear encoder mounted on the ball slide.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 19

Magnetically-Levitated Bearing
All CMT rheometers contain a bearing, and it is this component that largely controls the quality of data
that can be obtained on the instrument. The design of a bearing is a compromise involving several proper-
ties such as friction, stiffness, air consumption and tolerance to contamination and misuse. To keep the fric-
tion low, non-contact bearings have always been used in the better quality rheometers. A thrust disc is
mounted horizontally on the rotating spindle of the rheometer and, on traditional instruments, this disc is
supported within a chamber by air introduced from below at high pressure. To prevent the spindle moving
upwards, air is also introduced into the chamber from above, and to prevent it moving laterally, radial air-
bearings are used.
In the Discovery Series rheometers, the thrust disc is retained, but it is levitated magnetically. The thrust
disc is constructed from a magnetically susceptible material. Electromagnetic actuators are positioned
above and below the disc, the strength of the magnetic field generated by each actuator is controlled
through the current supplied to its coils. The stronger the field, the greater the attraction between the actua-
tor and the thrust disc. The axial position and motion of the spindle are detected by sensors mounted above
the upper actuator, and can be closely controlled by varying the supplied current to each actuator coil.
This arrangement has advantages over the traditional air-bearing in many respects. The gap between the
thrust disc and the stationary components of the instrument can be much wider, of the order of millimeters
rather than micrometers. This results in both the friction of the bearing being substantially lower, and
increases the smoothness of rotation. The latter is particularly important, since it means that the variation in
the bearing characteristics with angular position, that are inevitable for any real bearing, can be more easily
allowed for by calibration (“mapping”). The axial stiffness of the bearing is increased, because of the tight-
ness of the control loop governing the axial position (to prevent lateral movement of the shaft, radial air-
bearings are used). The air consumption is reduced, and the wider gap and more durable materials used
make the bearing more robust and less susceptible to contamination.

Encoder

Thrust bearing

Radial bearings
Drag cup

True position sensor

Figure 7 DHR motor bearing.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 20

Radial Air Bearings
Radial bearings provide stiffness and support in the radial direction. The Discovery Series rheometers are
designed with two porous carbon radial bearings, located above and below the motor.

Motor
The requirement that the bearing used on the rheometer should be low in friction applies equally to the
motor. The Discovery Series rheometers use a non-contact “drag cup” motor. A thin-walled metal cup is
mounted on the rotating spindle of the rheometer. A magnetic field rotating at thousands of revolutions per
minute is generated by continuously varying the current supplied to stationary pole pieces surrounding the
cup. This produces an eddy current in the cup, which generates a second magnetic field. The two fields
oppose each other, in accordance with Lenz's law, and the cup field is forced to follow the rotating field.
Hence, the cup is “dragged” round by the rotating field, and a torque is generated whether the cup moves or
not.
Drag cup motors have many desirable characteristics besides their low friction. Since they have no fixed
magnets, the torque produced is independent of the angular position. Futhermore, the torque is approxi-
mately proportional to the square of the current, which means that a wide torque range is produced by a rel-
atively narrow current range. The rotating components of the motor have a very low moment of inertia—
the limit is the thinness to which the cup walls can be machined. Low inertia is important whenever the
angular velocity of the moving parts is changed, for example, during transient or dynamic experiments, or
steady changes in torque.
Drag cup motors can get hot during use, and the torque output will vary with temperature. The motor
incorporates a patented drag cup temperature sensor. The temperature of the drag cup is measured, and the
input to the motor corrected, ensuring the most accurate possible torque output.
The low friction and inertia of the motor, together with sophisticated modern electronics allow close con-
trol of the motor, both in its native, controlled torque mode, and through feedback in controlled displace-
ment or angular velocity mode. Although designed according to the principles of traditional controlled-
stress rheometers, the Discovery Series rheometers are better regarded as both controlled-stress and
controlled-strain rheometers.

Optical Encoder
The transducer used to determine the angular position of the rotating spindle should have high resolution,
low friction (i.e., non-contact), low moment of inertia, and a rapid linear response. These criteria are met
by an optical encoder. This consists of a non-contacting light source and photocell, arranged on either side
of a transparent disc mounted on the rheometer spindle. At the edge of this disc are extremely fine, photo-
graphically etched radial lines, which form a diffraction grating. A stationary segment of a similar disc is
also mounted between the light source and the photocell, and the diffraction pattern formed by the light
transmitted through the gratings is detected by the photocell. As the spindle rotates, the diffraction pattern
changes. The associated electronic circuitry interpolates and digitizes the resulting signal, to produce digi-
tal high resolution, angular position data.
The angular velocity of the rotating spindle is calculated from successive readings of the angular position,
and since this is done at electronic processor speed, the encoder effectively has two outputs, the angular
position and the angular velocity.
In the DHR-3, the performance of the encoder is enhanced by using a dual reader configuration. This pat-
ent pending design improves the basic resolution and noise level of the displacement signal as well as
removing drift and improving phase resolution.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 21

Axial Force Transducer
When a viscoelastic liquid is sheared, a force can be generated along the axis of rotation of a cone or paral-
lel plate geometry. For this to happen, the structure responsible for the elasticity must not be completely
disrupted by steady shear.
For this reason, colloids, suspensions, etc., although elastic at rest, become effectively inelastic under
steady shear and can show negative normal forces due to inertial effects. However, polymer solutions and
melts, and products incorporating them, are typically elastic under shear because of the long lifetime of the
molecular entanglements.
Normal force measurements are made with cone and plate or parallel plate geometries; therefore, it is
important to use a method to detect the force that does not allow significant changes in the gap. This would
result in the actual shear rate varying with normal force, due to deflections of the force-detecting compo-
nent.
Axial force control is also important for making measurements under tension or compression, and for load-
ing delicate samples where it is important to retain their structure.
The DHR uses a Force Rebalance Transducer (FRT) to measure axial force. It provides the most accurate
normal force measurements because the drive shaft is maintained in its vertical null position; it does not
require a physical movement like capacitive sensors or strain gauges.

Front Panel
Some of the operation of the rheometers can be controlled through buttons on the front panel (shown in the
figure below), as well as through the instrument control software (TRIOS Software).

Head Head Zero Trim Bearing Start Stop Release Cycle

up down gap gap lock display

Figure 8 Front panel.

Explanation of the front panel from left to right:

• Head up: Used to raise the instrument head.
• Head down: Used to lower the instrument head.
• Zero gap: Starts the automatic gap zero position routine. A flashing red light on the button indicates
that the routine is active.
• Trim gap: Used to lower the instrument head to the trim gap and set the final gap. The first time the
button is pressed the light flashes red until the trim gap is reached, at which point it changes to a flash-
ing green. The green light on the Start button is also illuminated. If the Start button is pressed, the gap
closes to the geometry gap and the currently active experiment in TRIOS Software starts. If Trim gap
is pressed again, then the gap closes to the geometry gap. During the closure, the light is a continuous
red, changing to a continuous green when the geometry gap has been reached. The start button also
illuminates green.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 22

• Bearing lock: Applies a software lock to the bearing to prevent the instrument’s shaft from rotating.
This lock is over-ridden when the experimental procedure starts. A continuous red light indicates the
bearing is locked. Pressing the button when the bearing is locked releases it. If the button is pressed for
3 seconds, the bearing rotates to its “home” position and then locks. This is indicated by a flashing red
light. The “home” position is used when fitting a geometry.
• Start: Used to start an experimental procedure. When the button illuminates green, pressing it starts the
current active experiment in TRIOS. If the geometry is not at the measurement gap, the gap automati-
cally closes before starting the experiment.
• Stop: Terminates whatever operation the instrument is performing, for example finding the gap zero,
mapping the bearing or running an experimental procedure. A flashing red light indicates that a
measurement is in progress.
• Release: Used as the Smart Swap release button.
• Cycle display: Used to display alternative screens on the instrument’s user interface.

Smart Swap™
The Discovery Series rheometers feature “Smart Swap” technology that automatically senses the tempera-
ture control system present and configures the rheometer operating software accordingly, loading all rele-
vant calibration data. The use of this feature is covered in this manual.
Also standard across the entire range are Smart Swap™ geometries. These geometries can be automati-
cally identified when installed on the rheometer. The magnetic coating on the head of each geometry pro-
vides the read/write technology that will uniquely identify it to the instrument.

Auto GapSet Mechanism

The auto GapSet facility has four major functions, as follows:
• Automatic setting of gaps via software
• Programmed gap closure
• Thermal gap compensation
• Axial force control (in conjunction with the axial force transducer)
These features of the GapSet mechanism are described in detail in the TRIOS Software Online Help.

True Position Sensor

No motor is 100% efficient, so there is always heat generated as a by-product of torque development. This
can result in thermal expansion of components within the motor/bearing. An inductive linear position sen-
sor located at the point the drive shaft exits the motor housing measures movement due to thermal expan-
sion and makes a real-time adjustment to the geometry gap. The True Position Sensor is standard on all
DHRs and is always active. It works with all geometries and environmental systems.
The performance of the True Position Sensor is enhanced by using the motor water cooling option. The
water flows though a channel in the motor carriage casting before routing through the motor core. This
provides a thermal break and is particularly effective when using environmental systems such as EHP and
ETC.
NOTE: The water cooling is optional, but recommended during high-torque, long-lasting test procedures.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 23

Environmental Control Units
The following sections briefly describe the environmental control units for the Discovery Series
rheometers.

Peltier Plate
The standard Peltier Plate is the most widely-used temperature control system for the rheometers. It uses
the Peltier thermoelectric effect to control the temperature accurately, with rapid heating and cooling. The
plate consists of a copper disc, with hard chrome plating on the upper surface. A Pt100 temperature probe
is embedded in the disc, in thermal contact with it and close to the surface. Copper is used as the disc mate-
rial for its very high thermal conductivity, ensuring negligible temperature gradients across the surface of
the plate. The hard chrome plating prevents mechanical or chemical damage to the plate.
The Dual Stage Peltier Plate (DSPP) is a system optimized for low temperature measurements using the
standard four element array as a heat sink for a single Peltier element and top plate. This still has the same
maximum temperature as the standard plate, but because the lower Peltier elements are the heat sink for the
top element rather than a circulating fluid, low temperatures can be reached quickly, and without the use of
expensive refrigerated fluid circulators.
Refer to the Peltier Plate Getting Started Guide for additional information.

Figure 9 Discovery Series Peltier Plate.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 24

Peltier Concentric Cylinders
The Discovery Series Peltier Concentric Cylinder Temperature System combines the convenience of Smart
Swap™ and Peltier heating technology with a wide variety of cup and rotor geometries. Concentric cylin-
der geometries are commonly used for testing low viscosity fluids, dispersions or any liquids that are pour-
able into a cup. Examples of materials suitable for Concentric Cylinders include low concentration
polymer solutions, solvents, oils, drilling mud, paint, varnish, inkjet ink, ceramic slurries, pharmaceutical
suspensions such as cough medicine and baby formula, foams, food products such as juices, thickeners,
dairy products such as milk and sour cream, salad dressings, and pasta sauce.
Refer to the Peltier Concentric Cylinder Getting Started Guide for additional information.

Figure 10 Discovery Series Peltier Concentric Cylinder.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 25

Upper Heated Plate
Lower Peltier Plates have a maximum temperature of 200°C. However, vertical temperature gradients
when heating from only the bottom can become significant at temperatures above 50°C, leading to errors
in the absolute rheological data. The Upper Heated Plate (UHP) is compatible with all Peltier Plate models
and provides upper plate temperature control. The UHP features 8, 25, and 40 mm diameter cones and
plates and a maximum temperature of 150°C. The lower temperature can be extended using a variety of
flexible liquid and gas cooling options. The DHR offers Active Temperature Control (ATC), making it
capable of direct temperature control of the upper and lower plates.
NOTE: To extend the upper heater temperature range to 150°C or above, use the Electrically Heated Plates
option).
Refer to the Upper Heated Plate Getting Started Guide for additional information.

Figure 11 Discovery Series Upper Heated Plate.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 26

The Electrically Heated Plate (EHP)
The EHP provides active heating and cooling of parallel plate and cone and plate geometries. With stan-
dard and disposable systems it’s ideal for rheological characterization of polymer melts and thermosetting
materials up to a maximum temperature of 400°C. The optional gas Cooling Accessory extends the mini-
mum temperature to –70°C. Standard features include 25-mm diameter parallel plate geometry, environ-
mental cover, and heated purge gas. An optional clear cover is available for sample viewing and for use
with the Camera Viewer option. The DHR offers Active Temperature Control (ATC), making it capable of
direct temperature control of the upper and lower plates. The Upper EHP can be used with lower Peltier
Plates for temperature control to 200°C and as temperature control to 150°C for UV curing options.
Refer to the Electrically Heated Plate Getting Started Guide for additional information.

Figure 12 Discovery Series EHP.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 27

The Starch Pasting Cell
The Starch Pasting Cell (SPC) is a Smart Swap™ accessory available on all Discovery Series Rheometers.
The option provides a more accurate and powerful tool to characterize the gelatinization of raw and modi-
fied starch products as well as the properties of the starch gels. It can also be used for characterizing many
other highly unstable materials. It uses an innovative impeller design for mixing, reduction of water loss,
and control of sedimentation during testing. The actual sample temperature is measured and controlled in a
temperature chamber with heating/cooling rates up to 30°C/min.
Refer to the Starch Pasting Cell Getting Started Guide for additional information.

Asphalt Submersion Cell

This temperature control system is specifically for the measurement of asphalt binders immersed in a water
bath. Its operation is covered by the Asphalt Submersion Cell manual.
Refer to the Asphalt Submersion Cell Getting Started Guide for additional information.

Figure 13 Discovery Series Asphalt Submersion Cell.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 28

The Environmental Test Chamber (ETC)
The ETC is a high temperature Smart Swap™ option available for all Discovery Series rheometers. It uses
a controlled convection / radiant-heating concept and has a temperature range of –160 to 600°C with heat-
ing rates up to 60°C/min. The unique design of the ETC provides fast response and temperature stability
over a continuous 760°C range. The ETC is a very popular option for polymer applications and can be used
with parallel plate, cone and plate, disposable plate, and rectangular torsion clamps for solids. Typical
materials that can be tested include thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, caulks and adhesives, solid
polymers, asphalt binder, and oils and greases.
Refer to the ETC Getting Started Guide for additional information.

Figure 14 Discovery Series ETC and ETC viewer.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 29

Accessories
The sections below briefly describe the Discovery Series rheometer accessories.

Bicone Interfacial Accessory

The bicone interfacial accessory is mainly used to determine the viscosity of the interface between two liq-
uid phases. The stator is a circular cup with removable lid, the geometry is a thin, biconical disc. For
chemical inertness, and to reduce the meniscus effect, the cup and lid are constructed from polytetraflouro-
ethylene, PTFE, and the geometry from stainless steel.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 30

The Interfacial Double Wall Ring (DWR)
The patented Interfacial Double Wall Ring (DWR) measuring system measures the viscous and linear vis-
coelastic properties of the interface between liquid-liquid and liquid-air. It consists of a thin, square-edged
ring and a Delrin® trough with a circular channel. The ring and support legs are constructed from a plati-
num/ iridium (Pt/Ir) alloy, for chemical inertness, ease of cleaning, and wettability. The ring support is
made of stainless steel.
A non-return (check) valve is fitted to the trough below the level of the interface. Together with the
supplied tubing and syringe, this can be used to adjust the lower fluid level, or to add an active ingredient.

Geometry
holder Trough

Glass window

Check valve
DWR geometry

Figure 15 Interfacial DWR.

The Du Noüy Ring

The Du Noüy Ring measuring system is mainly used to determine the linear viscoelastic properties of the
interface between liquid and air. It consists of a thin wire ring and a Duran glass dish. The ring is con-
structed from a platinum / iridium (Pt/Ir) alloy for chemical inertness, ease of cleaning, and wettability. It is
important that the ring and dish are aligned concentrically, and a locating ring is provided that fits over the
Peltier plate to ensure this. Two dishes are available; the outer diameter of the standard dish is 70 mm and
the outer diameter of the small dish is 50 mm.

R1: Ring radius

R2: Dish inner radius

Du Noüy Ring
üy Ring

Interface

Dish Fluid

Figure 16 Du Noüy Ring measuring system schematic.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 31

The Pressure Cell

WARNING: TA Instruments' Pressure Cell is designed for use at temperatures up

to 150°C and pressures up to 138 bar (2000 psi). At all times during the use of the
cell, wear safety glasses and clothing that afford adequate protection against the
sample under test, and the temperature and pressure used. At other than ambient
temperature, the outer surfaces of the cell may become very hot or cold. When
operating at these temperatures, wear gloves that afford adequate protection
against the surface temperature of the pressure cell and its fittings.

The Pressure Cell is a sealed vessel that can be pressurized up to 138 bar (2000 PSI) over a temperature
range of –10 to 150°C. It can be used either in self-pressurizing mode, in which the pressure is produced by
the volatility of the sample, or by externally applying the pressurization, typically with a high pressure tank
of nitrogen gas. All necessary plumbing and gauges are included as a manifold assembly. The Pressure
Cell is ideal for studying the effect of pressure on rheological properties, as well as studying the materials
that volatilize under atmospheric pressure. This option is available for all Discovery Series Rheometers.
Refer to the Pressure Cell Getting Started Guide for additional information.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 32

The ETC Viewer

WARNING: After ETC use, do not turn off the cooling air to the ETC Viewer
until the unit has returned to room temperature. Doing so could damage the
lens assembly and/or camera chip.

The ETC (Environmental Testing Chamber) Viewer is as an option that can be used with the rheometer for
the following purposes:
• Viewing the edge of plates and cones and the torsion sample
• Capturing images with data point (not fast sampling)
• Viewing point image in TRIOS results files
The viewer assembly is air cooled to allow it to perform over the whole temperature range of the ETC (-
160 to 600°C). The primary and secondary illumination, as well as the focusing aspects of the viewer, are
all controlled from within TRIOS Software.
Refer to Figure 14 for an image of the ETC Viewer.

The UV Curing Accessory

UV-curable materials are widely used for coatings, adhesives, and inks. When these materials are exposed
to UV radiation, a fast cross-linking reaction occurs, typically within less than a second to a few min-
utes.Two Smart Swap™ accessories for rheological characterization of these materials are available for the
DHR-2 and DHR-3 rheometers. One accessory uses a light guide and reflecting mirror assembly to transfer
UV radiation from a high-pressure mercury light source. The second accessory uses self-contained light
emitting diodes, LED, arrays to deliver light to the sample. Accessories include 20 mm quartz plate, UV
light shield, and nitrogen purge cover. Optional temperature control to a maximum of 150°C is available
using the Electrically Heated Plates (EHP) option. Disposable plates are available for hard UV coatings
which cannot be removed from the plates once cured.
A blue light with a wavelength around 450 nm is also available. The blue light is most frequently used for
curing highly-filled dental restoratives.
Refer to the UV Curing Accessories Getting Started Guide for additional information.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 33

Small Angle Light-Scattering (SALS) Accessory
The Small Angle Light Scattering System, SALS, is an option for simultaneously obtaining rheological
and structural information, such as particle size, shape, orientation and spatial distribution. The SALS is
available for the DHR-2 and DHR-3 rheometers. This option incorporates TA Instruments’ Smart Swap™
technology bringing a new level of speed and simplicity for making simultaneous rheology and SALS
measurements. The system can be installed, aligned, and ready for measurements in as little as five min-
utes. It features patented Peltier Plate temperature control and the scattering angle (θ) range over which
measurements can be made is ~ 6° to 26.8°. The scattering vector range (q) is 1.38 µm-1 to 6.11 µm-1 and
the length scale range is about 1.0 µm to ~ 4.6 µm.
Refer to the SALS Accessory Getting Started Guide for additional information.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 34

Discovery Series Rheometer Geometries
Standard geometries for the rheometers are constructed from stainless steel, hard anodized aluminium, or
titanium.
NOTE: This applies only to the face of the geometry in direct contact with the sample, the shaft may be
constructed from other materials.
Other materials may be available on request, at additional charge. The geometry should be as low in den-
sity possible, to minimize its moment of inertia, it should be chemically resistant to the sample, and it
should have a surface texture that provides adhesion to the sample, to eliminate slippage.
The available geometries are listed below. Refer to TRIOS Online Help for additional details.
• Cone and plate
• Parallel plate
• Concentric cylinders
• Double gap concentric cylinders
• Solid sample (rectangular)
• SER2 Universal Testing Platform
• Interfacial
• Starch

Smart Swap™ Geometries

Each geometry has a unique six-digit serial number for identification purposes. When the geometry is set
up for the first time this number is encoded into the magnetic strip and a link is established to a geometry
file in the instrument control software. The geometry then becomes “Smart”. When a Smart Swap Geome-
try is attached to the rheometer, a sensor registers the attachment and slowly spins the shaft to read the
serial number from the magnetic strip. The geometry file associated with this serial number is then loaded
by the software.

Sleeve with
magnetic strip

Geometry base

Figure 17 Smart Swap geometry.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 35

Instrument Specifications
The tales below contains the technical specifications for the three tiers of Discovery Hybrid Rheometers.

Table 1: DHR-3 Technical Specifications

Item/Area Specifications

Main Instrument
Width 32 cm (12.5 in)
Height 76 cm (30 in)
Depth 42 cm (16.5 in)
Weight 32 kg (70.5 lbs)

Electronics Box
Width 26 cm (10 in)
Height 48 cm (19 in)
Depth 44 cm (17 in)
Weight 14 kg (31 lbs)

Minimum torque oscillation 0.5 nN.m

Minimum torque steady shear 5 nN.m
Maximum torque 200 mN.m
Torque resolution 0.05 nN.m
Minimum frequency 1.0E-07 Hz
Maximum frequency 100 Hz
Minimum angular velocity1 0 rad/s
Maximum angular velocity 300 rad/s
Displacement resolution 2 nrad
Step time, strain2 15 ms
Step time, rate2 5 ms
Maximum normal force 50 N
Normal force sensitivity 0.005 N
Normal force resolution (mN) 0.5 mN

1.Zero in controlled stress mode. Controlled rate mode depends on duration of point being measured and
sampling time.
2.Results at 99% of commanded value.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 36

Table 2: DHR-2 Technical Specifications

Item/Area Specifications

Main Instrument
Width 32 cm (12.5 in)
Height 76 cm (30 in)
Depth 42 cm (16.5 in)
Weight 32 kg (70.5 lbs)

Electronics Box
Width 26 cm (10 in)
Height 48 cm (19 in)
Depth 44 cm (17 in)
Weight 14 kg (31 lbs)

Minimum torque oscillation 2 nN.m

Minimum torque steady shear 10 nN.m
Maximum torque 200 mN.m
Torque resolution 0.1 nN.m
Minimum frequency 1.0E-07 Hz
Maximum frequency 100 Hz
Minimum angular velocity1 0 rad/s
Maximum angular velocity 300 rad/s
Displacement resolution 10 nrad
Step time, strain2 15 ms
2
Step time, rate 5 ms
Maximum normal force 50 N
Normal force sensitivity 0.005 N
Normal force resolution (mN) 0.5 mN

1.Zero in controlled stress mode. Controlled rate mode depends on duration of point being measured and
sampling time.
2.Results at 99% of commanded value.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 37

Table 3: DHR-1 Technical Specifications

Item/Area Specifications

Main Instrument
Width 32 cm (12.5 in)
Height 76 cm (30 in)
Depth 42 cm (16.5 in)
Weight 32 kg (70.5 lbs)

Electronics Box
Width 26 cm (10 in)
Height 48 cm (19 in)
Depth 44 cm (17 in)
Weight 14 kg (31 lbs)

Minimum torque oscillation 10 nN.m

Minimum torque steady shear 20 nN.m
Maximum torque 150 mN.m
Torque resolution 0.1 nN.m
Minimum frequency 1.0E-07 Hz
Maximum frequency 100 Hz
Minimum angular velocity1 0 rad/s
Maximum angular velocity 300 rad/s
Displacement resolution 10 nrad
Step time, strain2 15 ms
2
Step time, rate 5 ms
Maximum normal force 50 N
Normal force sensitivity 0.01 N
Normal force resolution (mN) 1 mN

1.Zero in controlled stress mode. Controlled rate mode depends on duration of point being measured and
sampling time.
2.Results at 99% of commanded value.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 38

Chapter 2:
Installing the Instrument

Overview
Normally the installation of your new system will be carried out by a member of the TA Instruments sales
or service staff, or their appointed agents, and it will be ready for you to use. However, should you need to
install or relocate the instrument, this chapter provides the necessary instructions.

Removing the Packaging and Preparing for Installation

If needed, the first step is to carefully remove all items from any and all packaging. We recommend that
you retain all packaging materials in case the instrument has to be shipped back to TA Instruments at some
point in the future (for example, in the case of some upgrades).

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 39

Installation Requirements
It is important to select a location for the instrument using the following guidelines.
Choose a location that is...

In
• An indoor area only (A clean environment).
• Altitude up to 2000 m.
• A temperature-controlled area (5°C to 40°C).
• An area where the maximum relative humidity is 80% for temperatures up to 31°C, decreasing linearly
to 50% relative humidity at 40°C.
• An area with ample working and ventilation space around the instrument, approximately 2 meters in
length, with sufficient depth for a computer and its keyboard.

On
• A stable, vibration-free work surface.

Near
• A power outlet. (Mains supply voltage fluctuations not to exceed ±10% of the nominal voltage, instal-
lation category II.)
• Your computer for direct connection of a Serial or network port.
• Air Bearing Gas Pressure (air or nitrogen) must be clean, dry, oil-free compressed gas at 345–690 kPa
gauge (50–100 psig). The dew point should be –20°C or better. Flow rate should be 25 L/min. A 1/4
NPT female connection must be provided for the rheometer main gas supply.

Away from
• Dusty environment (pollution degree 2).
• Exposure to direct sunlight.
• Poorly ventilated areas.
After you have decided on the location for your instrument, refer to the following sections to unpack and
install your Discovery Series rheometer.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 40

Connecting the System
Connecting the system together should present no problems, as long as you use instructions found in the
following sections.

Connecting the Rheometer to the Electronics Box

The electronics box forms the link between the rheometer and the computer. All the required processing is
done within the electronics box. The following steps should be followed to connect the two units together
(refer to Figure 18 and Figure 19 below).
1 Push the female end of the power cable into the Power port on the back of the rheometer and the other
end in the Power port on the back of the electronics box.
2 Push the D-type cable into the Signal port on the back of the rheometer and connect the other end to the
Signal port on the back of the control box.
NOTE: Discovery rheometers communicate with the control computer via an Ethernet link, as described
in the next section.

Signal port

Power port

AIR IN connection

Supply/Return
connections for
Peltier

Supply/Return
connections for
motor cooling

Figure 18 Cable connections to make on rheometer back panel.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 41

 Signal port

Network port for Ethernet cable

Power port

Figure 19 Cable connections to make on electronics box back panel.

Connecting the Computer to the Electronics Box Using Ethernet

Communications
Ethernet communications can be setup in two ways. The electronics box and computer can be connected
directly via a single Ethernet cable, or both can be connected using separate cables to a Local Area
Network [LAN] or router. Full details are provided in the software installation instructions.

Connecting Air and Water to the Rheometer

Refer to Figure 18 on the previous page for the locations of the relevant connections in the instructions
below.
1 For Peltier-based temperature control options, connect a supply of water to the supply and return
connections at the rear of the rheometer.
2 Connect the air supply (from the air regulator assembly) to the AIR IN connection. Set the regulator to
2 bar (30 psi).

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 42

Connecting the TA Air-Cooled Peltier Circulator
Refer to Figure 18 and Figure 19 for the locations of the relevant connections in the instructions below.
To connect the Peltier Circulator, connect the supply and return hoses to the flow supply and return
connections on the rear of the rheometer.
NOTE: After the system has been started, recheck the level of water in the reservoir and refill to the inner
rim, if necessary.
CAUTION: Do not put any liquid other than distilled water and TA Instruments’ Conditioner in the
circulator reservoir.

Connecting Motor Cooling

The Discovery Series rheometer will operate without motor cooling, but may shut down if operated at
maximum torque for prolonged periods. Providing a source of cooling allows the rheometer to operate at
maximum torque indefinitely. It also improves the performance of the True Position Sensor.
To avoid condensation within the instrument, use water close to ambient temperature. For best perfor-
mance, allow time for the instrument to thermally stabilize before taking measurements.

Establishing Power to the System

To establish power to the electronics box and DHR, follow the instructions below.
1 Plug the AC power cord into the AC power socket on the lower back panel of the electronics box. Refer
to Figure 20.
2 To power on the system, press the power switch on the electronics box to the On (I) position.

AC power socket

AC power switch

Figure 20 Lower back panel of electronics box.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 43

Leveling the Rheometer
Optimum performance depends upon the instrument being level and in a sturdy position to avoid the possi-
bility of rocking. To check and see whether your instrument is level, simply place a bubble spirit level on
the Smart Swap base, or installed temperature system (for example, Peltier Plate). If the instrument is not
levelled, screw the adjustable feet (located at each corner of the instrument) either in or out, as necessary.
Check the spirit level after each adjustment.
Once you have the instrument levelled correctly, press each corner of the instrument to check that all four
feet are in contact with the laboratory bench. Any movement caused by pressing should be rectified by
adjusting the feet, and then rechecking the level. An 'L'- shaped level with a bubble in each arm is the most
convenient type to use for this process.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 44

Installing a Geometry
1 Turn on the compressed air supply to the instrument and remove the bearing clamp by turning the draw
rod counterclockwise (anti-clockwise). Refer to Figure 6 for draw rod location, if necessary.
2 Power on the instrument and allow it to initialize (about 30 seconds to 1 minute).
3 Push the geometry up the spindle and hold it while locating the draw rod in the screw thread of the
geometry.

Locating the draw rod

Pushing the geometry up the spindle

Figure 21 Installing the geometry.

4 Rotate the draw rod clockwise. The draw rod screw thread will pull the geometry upwards into position
on the spindle. It should be screwed finger tight, but not forced.
NOTE: If Smart Swap is turned on, the geometry rotates a few seconds after it is fitted to enable
identification.
NOTE: To remove the geometry, perform this operation in reverse.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 45

To install the geometry so that it is in the same position each time:
1 Move the motor shaft to the home position by holding the Lock button for 3 seconds until you hear a
short beep. Alternatively, click the Go to Home Position in TRIOS Software.
2 Align the notch on the Smart Swap geometry with the notch on the Smart Swap cover and screw in the
draw rod.
NOTE: If Smart Swap is turned on, the geometry rotates a few seconds after it is fitted to enable
identification.

Smart Swap cover notch

Smart Swap geometry notch

Figure 22 Aligning the Smart Swap geometry notch and Smart Swap cover notch.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 46

Chapter 3:
Use, Maintenance, and Diagnostics

Startup and Shutdown Procedures

Starting Up the Rheometer
Follow the steps below to start the rheometer:
NOTE: This assumes that the rheometer has already been correctly installed.
1 Check that the air supply is turned on.
2 Remove bearing clamp if fitted.
3 Turn on fluid circulation, if required for correct operation of the installed temperature system.
4 Power on the system by pressing the power switch on the electronics box to the On (I) position. Refer
to Figure 20 for power switch location.
5 Connect to rheometer via the software.

Shutting Down the Rheometer

Follow the steps below to shut down the rheometer:
1 Turn off the power to the system by pressing the power switch on the electronics box to the Off (0)
position. Refer to Figure 20 for power switch location.
2 Turn off any fluid circulation.
3 Fit the air bearing clamp if it is likely that the bearing will be disturbed while the air is off. In the case
of the EHP, UHP, and ETC (doors closed), simply removing the draw rod should be sufficient to protect
the bearing unless the instrument is going to be moved.
NOTE: It is recommended that the air be left on and that the bearing remain unclamped.
4 Turn off the air supply.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 47

Adjusting Brightness of the LCD Display
The display brightness can be adjusted from the front panel.
1 Press the cycle display button until the network settings are displayed.

Figure 23 DHR front panel.

Figure 24 Network settings screen.

2 Press and hold down the cycle display button (do not lift your finger off the button). The display will
cycle to the TA Logo view, and gradually the display will brighten. Release the button when the display
brightness is sufficient.

Figure 25 Dim display (left); Brightness adjusted (right).

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 48

Maintenance and Repair
CAUTION: Adjustment, replacement of parts, maintenance and repair should be carried out by
trained and skilled TA personnel only. The instrument should be disconnected from the mains before
removal of the cover.

WARNING: The cover should only be removed by authorized personnel. Once the
cover has been removed, live parts are accessible. Both live and neutral supplies
are fused and therefore a failure of a single fuse could still leave some parts live.
The instrument contains capacitors that may remain charged even after being dis-
connected from the supply.

WARNING: Use two people to lift and/or carry the instrument. The instrument is
too heavy for one person to handle safely. Refer to Figure 26 below for lift handle
locations.

Moving the Instrument

Please follow these recommendations when you move or lift the instrument and its accessories:
• Always remove the temperature control module from the rheometer before attempting to move it.
Details on how to do this can be found in TRIOS Online Help.
• When moving the rheometer, the bearing clamp should always be in place, ensuring that the bearing
cannot be moved.
1 Ensure that the draw rod is installed.
2 Push the bearing clamp up onto the draw rod. Hold it in place and turn the knob at the top of the draw
rod in a clockwise direction to engage the bearing clamp. Continue to turn the draw rod until it is finger
tight.
CAUTION: Always hold the clamp and turn the knob, never the other way round.

3 Lifting the instrument should always be done with two people. With each person standing on either side
of the instrument, place hands in the locations shown below and lift upwards, keeping the instrument in
an upright position. See the figure on the next page.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 49

 Rear of instrument Front of instrument

Each person places one hand underneath

the front cover of the DHR.

Each person grasps the DHR rear cover with

one hand in the locations shown above.

Figure 26 DHR lift handle locations.

4 Treat the rheometer with the same degree of care you would take with any scientific laboratory instrument.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 50

Startup Errors
The instrument has some power on self test (POST) routines.
If the electronics box issues groups of beep codes while flashing the TA logo in time with the sounder, then
there is either a serious error which prevents the system from proceeding further, or there is a less serious
error but no display is available to notify the user. Please see “System POST Error Codes” on page 52.
If it is a less serious error with no display available, the system should continue after 60 seconds but may
not work correctly depending on the nature of the error.
If the electronics box issues a repeated sequence of three tones, then there is an error which should be listed
on the display but there is no keypad available for the user to acknowledge the error. In this case the system
should continue after a short period but may not work correctly depending on the nature of the error.
There are 3 error screens that may be displayed:

System Issues
Module name Firmware status Module status Module POST
Firmware status can be: Not found, Unknown, Outdated, Current, Newer, Experimental

FPGA Version Issues

Module name FPGA status FPGA version
FPGA status can be: Not found, Unknown, Outdated

Power Drive Issues

Motor drive Control mode FPGA status
and/or
Gap set drive Control mode
The display and keypad modules are marked as optional for the self test and so their absence should not in
itself cause any errors.
If the display is blank (white) but cycles between bright and dim every 1 second, then there is a problem
with the display graphics file data.

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 51

System POST Error Codes
Table 4: DHR Series POST Error Codes

Number of Beeps Code (hex) Description

1 1 Signal cable not fitted

2 2 Power cable not fitted

3 4 Instrument ±48V supply not activated

4 8 System controller communications failure

5 10 Heater drive communications failure

6 20 Display not present

7 40 Keypad not present

8 80 Sensor board magnetic bearing data communications

failure

9 100 Sensor board encoder data communications failure

10 200 Magnetic bearing actuator fault

11 400 Motor drive activation failed

12 800 Gap set drive activation failed

13 1000 Module firmware version error

14 2000 Module status/POST error

15 4000 FPGA version error

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 52

Module Status Codes
Table 5: DHR Series Module Status Codes

Code (hex) Description

1 Unexpected processor reset

2 Supply rail out of range

4 Temperature out of range

8 Sensor fault

10 Output fault

20 Power fail indicated

40 System heartbeat timeout

80 CAN rx overflow

100 CAN tx timeout

200 Module startup

400 CAN rx overrun

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 53

 Index

A
Asphalt Submersion Cell
description 28
auto gap set facility 23
axial force transducer 22

B
ball slide 19

C
casting 19

E
electrical safety 8
Electrically Heated Plate
description 27
ETC
description 29
ETC Viewer 33

F
front panel 22

G
geometry 45

I
installation 39
connecting the system 41
geometry 45
location requirements 40
instrument
components 19

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 54

 description 18
installation 39
installation requirements 40
maintenance 49
motor 21
normal force transducer 22
optical encoder 21
preparation for installation 39
preparing for installation 39
startup and shutdown 47
technical specifications 36
unpacking 39
instrument symbols 6
Interfacial Accessory
bicone 30
Du Noüy Ring 31
DWR 31

L
LCD display
adjusting brightness 48
location of instrument 40

M
magnetically-levitated bearing 20
motor 21

O
optical encoder 21

P
Peltier Concentric Cylinder
description 25
Peltier Plate
description 24
Pressure Cell
description 32

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 55

R
radial air bearings 21
Regulatory Compliance 4
rheometer
leveling 44
removing packaging 39

S
safety 6
chemical 9
electrical 8
instrument symbols 6
liquid nitrogen 9
Safety Standards 4
SALS Accessory
description 33, 34
Smart Swap 23

T
True Position Sensor 23

U
unpacking 39
Upper Heated Plate
description 26
UV Curing Accessory
description 33

W
Warnings 7

DHR Series Getting Started Guide Page 56