TA DHR Series User manual

Revision D Issued November 2013
Getting Started Guide
DHR Series and AR Series
Environmental Test Chamber

Page 2 DHR/AR Series Environmental Test Chamber Getting Started Guide
Notice
The material contained in this manual, and in the online help for the software used to support this instru-
ment, is believed adequate for the intended use of the instrument. If the instrument or procedures are used
for purposes other than those specified herein, confirmation of their suitability must be obtained from TA
Instruments. Otherwise, TA Instruments does not guarantee any results and assumes no obligation or liabil-
ity. TA Instruments also reserves the right to revise this document and to make changes without notice.
TA Instruments may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual prop-
erty covering subject matter in this document. Except as expressly provided in written license agreement
from TA Instruments, the furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these patents, trade-
marks, copyrights, or other intellectual property.
TA Instruments Operating Software, as well as Module, Data Analysis, and Utility Software and their asso-
ciated manuals and online help, are proprietary and copyrighted by TA Instruments. Purchasers are granted
a license to use these software programs on the module and controller with which they were purchased.
These programs may not be duplicated by the purchaser without the prior written consent of TA Instru-
ments. Each licensed program shall remain the exclusive property of TA Instruments, and no rights or
licenses are granted to the purchaser other than as specified above.
©2013 by
TA Instruments — Waters LLC
159 Lukens Drive
New Castle, DE 19720

DHR/AR Series Environmental Test Chamber Getting Started Guide Page 3
Introduction
Important: TA Instruments Manual Supplement
Please click the TA Manual Supplement link to access the following important information
supplemental to this Getting Started Guide:
• TA Instruments Trademarks
• TA Instruments Patents
• Other Trademarks
• TA Instruments End-User License Agreement
• TA Instruments Offices

Page 4 DHR/AR Series Environmental Test Chamber Getting Started Guide
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
This manual uses NOTES, CAUTIONS, and WARNINGS to emphasize important and critical
instructions. In the body of the manual these may be found in the shaded box on the outside of the page.
NOTE: A NOTE highlights important information about equipment or procedures.
CAUTION: A CAUTION emphasizes a procedure that may damage equipment or cause loss of data
if not followed correctly.
MISE EN GARDE: UNE MISE EN GARDE met l'accent sur une procédure susceptible d'endom-
mager l'équipement ou de causer la perte des données si elle n'est pas correctement suivie.
Regulatory Compliance
Safety Standards
For Canada
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-1 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and
laboratory use, Part 1: General Requirements.
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-2-010 Particular requirements for laboratory equipment for the heating of
materials.
For European Economic Area
(In accordance with Council Directive 2006/95/EC of 12 December 2006 on the harmonization of the laws
of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits.)
EN 61010-1:2001 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory
use, Part 1: General Requirements + Amendments.
EN 61010-2-010:2003 Particular requirements for laboratory equipment for the heating of materials +
Amendments.
For United States
UL61010-1:2004 Electrical Equipment for Laboratory Use; Part 1: General Requirements.
UL61010A-2-010:2002 Particular requirements for laboratory equipment for the heating of materials +
Amendments.
A WARNING indicates a procedure that may be hazardous to the operator or
to the environment if not followed correctly.
Un AVERTISSEMENT indique une procédure qui peut être dangereuse pour
l'opérateur ou l'environnement si elle n'est pas correctement suivie.

DHR/AR Series Environmental Test Chamber Getting Started Guide Page 5
Electromagnetic Compatibility Standards
For Australia and New Zealand
AS/NZS CISPR11:2004 Limits and methods of measurement of electronic disturbance characteristics of
industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio frequency equipment.
For Canada
ICES-001 Issue 4 June 2006 Interference-Causing Equipment Standard: Industrial, Scientific, and Medical
Radio Frequency Generators.
For the European Economic Area
(In accordance with Council Directive 2004/108/EC of 15 December 2004 on the approximation of the
laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility.)
EN61326-1:2006 Electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use-EMC requirements-
Part 1: General Requirements. Emissions: Meets Class A requirements per CISPR 11. Immunity: Per
Table 1 - Basic immunity test requirements.
For the United States
CFR Title 47 Telecommunication Chapter I Federal Communications Commission, Part 15 Radio
frequency devices (FCC regulation pertaining to radio frequency emissions).

DHR/AR Series Environmental Test Chamber Getting Started Guide Page 6
Safety
Do not attempt to service this instrument, as it contains no user-serviceable components.
Required Equipment
While operating this accessory, you must wear eye protection that either meets or exceeds ANSI Z87.1
standards. Additionally, wear protective clothing that has been approved for protection against the
materials under test and the test temperatures.
Instrument Symbols
The following label is displayed on the accessory for your protection:
Please heed the warning labels and take the necessary precautions when dealing with these areas. This
Getting Started Guide contains cautions and warnings that must be followed for your own safety.
Symbol Explanation
This symbol indicates that a hot surface may be present. Take care not to touch
this area or allow any material that may melt or burn come in contact with this
hot surface.
Ce symbole indique la présence possible d'une surface chaude. Prenez soin de
ne pas toucher cette zone ou de laisser un matériau susceptible de fondre ou de
brûler entrer en contact avec cette surface chaude.

DHR/AR Series Environmental Test Chamber Getting Started Guide Page 7
Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Important: TA Instruments Manual Supplement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Regulatory Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Safety Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Electromagnetic Compatibility Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Required Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Instrument Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Chapter 1:
Introducing the Environmental Test Chamber ............................................................ 8
About the Environmental Test Chamber (ETC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
ETC Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
The ETC Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
System Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Chapter 2:
Installing the ETC ......................................................................................................... 12
Installing the ETC Assembly on the DHR Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Mounting the Test Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Installing the ETC Assembly on the AR Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Mounting the Test Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Installing the Lower Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Installing the Low Temperature Accessory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Installing/Removing the ETC Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Connecting the Camera Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
ETC Viewer Schematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Chapter 3:
Operating the ETC ........................................................................................................ 29
Operating Hints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Controlling Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Low Temperature System Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Index ................................................................................................................................................... 31

DHR/AR Series Environmental Test Chamber Getting Started Guide Page 8
Chapter 1:
Introducing the Environmental Test Chamber
About the Environmental Test Chamber (ETC)
The ETC is an add-on unit for the DHR/AR-G2/AR 2000ex that enables it to characterize solid samples in
torsion. To work on composites/polymers in torsion requires a temperature-controlled chamber for envi-
ronmental control of the sample, plus specially designed sample clamps. The ETC can also be used for
conventional rheology measurements with the appropriate geometries.
Figure 1 ETC mounted on DHR.
ETC

DHR/AR Series Environmental Test Chamber Getting Started Guide Page 9
ETC Components
The ETC chamber is mounted onto a metal plate that is secured to the back of the rheometer. The DHR
ETC has dowel pins for alignment that also provide support while the unit is secured in place. Handles at
the bottom of each door are provided for lifting and positioning.
The oven is made up of two halves (left and right as viewed from the front), with each half containing a
specially designed heating element with a thermocouple welded to it (see Figure 2). Various interlock
devices are fitted for safety purposes. These devices detect the position of the doors. The Status Bar in
TRIOS software reports the current state: open, partly open, or closed. Temperature control is only active
when the doors are closed. Note: You will not be able to move the head up unless the doors are fully open.
Figure 2 ETC interior, left and right sides.
The left-hand door also incorporates the gas ring, which allows stirring air and liquid nitrogen to be fed
into the chamber. The control electronics are contained within the main electronics of the ETC.
Insulation Thermocouple Heating coil Thermocouple Heating coil
Gas ringTorsion/Rectangular
geometry thermocouple Light or optional camera

DHR/AR Series Environmental Test Chamber Getting Started Guide Page 10
The ETC Viewer
The ETC Viewer is as an option that can be used with the rheometer for the following purposes:
• Viewing the edge of plates and cones and the torsion sample
• Providing streaming video
• Capturing images with data point (not fast sampling)
• Viewing point image in TRIOS software and pseudo playback
The software provided with the ETC Viewer works with any USB camera so a web cam can be easily used
for Peltier tests. The viewer assembly is air cooled to allow it to perform over whole temperature range of
the ETC (–160 to 600°C).
WARNING: After ETC use, do not turn off the cooling air to the ETC
Viewer until the unit has returned to room temperature. Doing so could
damage the lens assembly and/or camera chip.
AVERTISSEMENT: Après l'utilisation de l'ETC, n'arrêtez pas le passage
de l'air de refroidissement vers l'afficheur ETC tant que l'appareil n'est
pas revenu à la température ambiante. Cela pourrait endommager
l'ensemble des lentilles et/ou la puce optique intelligente.