Characterization Procedure
Rotating disks apply shear forces to a small sample of resin or solder paste to determine its flow properties. The use of parallel plate rheometry identifies how the material viscosity changes as a function of shear rate and temperature. This test allows process engineers to predict how a prepreg system will flow during the high temperature lamination process.
It provides the empirical data required to set the dwell times and pressure triggers in a vacuum press.
Mechanical Execution
A thin disk of sample material sits between two flat circular plates where the bottom plate remains stationary while the upper plate oscillates. When parallel plate rheometry begins, sensors track the resistance of the fluid to the constant torque applied by the motor. These calculations show the exact point at which a resin starts to thin out and when it begins to gel and harden.
Monitoring these parameters ensures that batches from different suppliers have consistent behavior when they enter the production environment. Variation in this test typically hints at an improper mixture ratio or aged material that will not flow correctly between copper traces.
Process Limit
Accurate results require the maintenance of a specific gap height between the plates that is significantly larger than any particles inside the sample. If the gap is too small, large fillers inside the epoxy will jam, resulting in false high readings of viscosity.