Hydramotion

Viscosity sensors for the polymer industry

Polymer processing operates under strict control of melt consistency, molecular weight and thermal stability. Small deviations in rheology can directly affect mechanical properties, surface quality and downstream processing operations. Measurement technology must therefore deliver reliable, reapatable melt data, whilst withstanding the high temperatures, high pressures and demands of the industry.

Hydramotion in-line viscometers are routinely used by the polymer industry across various stages of processing and handling from material production, to manufacture, to recycling.

During material manufacture, viscosity plays a critical role by ensuring the consistency and quality of polymer products due to its correlation with molecular weight. For recycling processess viscosity is critical to how well a recycled blend of material will process and perform.

In the melt pipe or extruder phase, viscosity control becomes crucial for monitoring polymer melts and ensuring that the end-product meets the desired specifications for strength, flexibility, and overall performance.

Real-time process control Hydramotion viscometers install directly into melt pipelines, reactors or extruder ports via virtually any standard process connection. Continuous viscosity data can be fed directly into PLC or DCS systems, enabling closed-loop process control to maintain consistent product quality and minimise scrap.

Chemically resistant Glass-filled, mineral-loaded and pigment-rich formulations present challenging operating conditions. The robust sensor design contains no narrow capillaries or fragile components, allowing reliable viscosity measurement in highly filled or reinforced polymers without blockage or excessive wear.

High pressure and temperature Polymer melts are commonly processed at temperatures up to 350°C under significant pressures. All wetted components are made from high-grade alloys capable of sustained thermal exposure, and suitable for direct installation into pressurised pipelines, reactors and extruders.