Experimental methods in chemical engineering: Rheometry

Abstract Rheometry is an experimental technique that measures the relationship between stresses, strains, and their derivatives of fluids and deformable materials. Capillary and Couette viscometers were among the first instruments used to study rheology but now sophisticated shear and extensional rheometers are widely available for quality control, research, and product development. Here, we introduce the basics of rheology, define material functions, and describe conventional instruments, physical principles, applications, and uncertainties. In 2016 and 2017, the Web of Science indexed 8400 articles that mention rheometry and a bibliometric map assigned the keywords into five clusters of research: behaviour and viscosity, mechanical properties and morphology, rheological properties and microstructure, polymers and nano‐particles, and visco‐elastic properties and mixtures. Journal of Rheology , Construction Building Materials , Food Hydrocolloids , Soft Matter , Rheologica Acta , and Journal of Applied Polymer Science publish at least 80 articles per year that mention rheometry.