| This thesis investigates the use of a large scale in-line capillary rheometer located in the discharge section of a gear pump assisted single screw extrusion process. The objective of using an in-line rheometer is to detect changes in melt viscosity, during-processing. Prior to production, a model describing the behavior of a material is developed off-line. During production, the effect of processing conditions on the melt viscosity can be predicted by applying the model.; Predictions made of the changes in viscosity due to a temperature shift or a change in the material composition were in error of an average of 3:1 and 11 percent, respectively. While the errors generated are of concern, the concept of measuring the viscosity in-line has been proven to detect changes in the melt viscosity, or melt quality, during processing, and is a technique that can be improved with the addition of more sensitive instrumentation. |
