FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ted Benz, President, Benz Materials Testing Instruments, 401-331-5650 or Paul Streicker, Streicker & Company Inc., 401-435-0200.

PROVIDENCE, RI: The new Benz Mooney Viscometer (MV 2100) measures and records the viscosity of natural and synthetic rubber and plastic elastomers, including raw or compounded rubber. It is also used to determine the curing characteristics of compounded rubber.

More than a simple viscometer, the Benz MV 2100 is a computer data acquisition system, with digital P.I.D. temperature controls, realtime display of torque vs. time, data storage for statistical evaluation, and data manipulation. It runs on Windows 95, NT, 98, ME, 2000 and XP.

The MV 2100 accepts a sample of the elastomer, usually 11 grams, in a melt chamber and heats it to 212°F (100°c). Pre-heating is timed to maintain consistency of initial viscosity readings. The viscometer’s serrated shearing disk, rotating at 2 rpm and developing torque on the sample up to 200 inch pounds (200dN•M), causing the sample to flow. The necessary amount of torque is measured and is read on an x-y graph on the personal computer monitor.

Measurements are recorded on the PC, using Benz’ proprietary Benzwin 2000 software, which is included with the MV 2100.  When the sample’s viscosity falls to a level reading, the engineer or quality control operator knows both the torque and the time required to reach that minimum viscosity. Among other things, the level indicates if the compound has been properly mixed, with ingredients in their proper proportions.

The Benz MV 2100 also performs scorch tests in which, at 320°F (160°c), the liquid sample cures. The MV 2100 measures and records the amount of time a sample will last in a mold before it is scorched and its elastomeric properties are lost.  The Benz MV 2100 is also used to record stress relaxation, measuring the amount of stress energy (resilience) remains in a sample after the spinning rotor is stopped. Plasticity is graphed and recorded in inch pounds (dN•M).

The Benz MV 2100 meets ASTM D1638 and other national and international standards. Like other Benz elastomeric testing instruments, such as the Benz Brittle Point Tester and the Benz Melt Flow Tester, The Benz Mooney Viscometer is commonly used by companies manufacturing or testing chemica l compounds, technical service centers, original equipment manufacturers and others concerned with product quality, consistency, safety and durability.

Constructed of aluminum and high strength steel, it requires 20 x 22 inches (50x55 cm) of counter space and runs on 110 V or 220 V. An 80 psi (4 bar) air pressure system holds the sample chamber closed during the tests. The Benz Mooney Viscometer MV 2100 costs about $25,000 and is available from the manufacturer, Benz Materials Testing Instruments, 73 Maplehurst Ave., Providence, RI 02908. Phone 401 331 5650 or fax 401 331 5685.