SPE WEBINAR: Back to Basics: An Introduction to Polymer Rheology

  Webinar

Back to Basics: An Introduction to Polymer Rheology

  July 29, 2025
  1:00 to 2:00 PM EDT.
  Online

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Back to Basics: An Introduction to Polymer Rheology

  Summary

Polymers are used in a number of major industries. These industries include, but are not limited to plastics, adhesives, coatings, and even bio-medical. Depending on the industry the polymer is tailored to meet processing conditions as well as the end use. To meet these needs, it is important to understand the visco-elastic balance of the material, which is done through rheological techniques. Some key technique that can be utilized are rotational measurements in order to correlate to improve upon processing design.

Additionally, oscillatory measurements provide a more in depth understanding of the visco-elastic response both as a function of relaxation times as well temperature. From this talk we aim to introduce a set of fundamental rheological testing concepts along with analysis techniques that are essential for applying in a practical setting.

Understanding the visco-elastic balance of polymers is essential for tailoring materials to meet both processing requirements and end-use performance. This session will:

  • Introduce fundamental rheological testing concepts
  • Explore rotational and oscillatory measurement techniques
  • Demonstrate how rheology can optimize processing design and enhance product performance
  • Offer practical insights into analyzing relaxation behaviors and temperature dependencies in polymers

Whether you're new to rheology or looking to refine your application of these techniques, this webinar provides valuable knowledge you can apply directly in your work.

 

If you can't attend one or several sessions live, or if you want to review some concepts, the recordings will be available after each session.

  Registration Information

All AttendeesFREE
 
1 Session
 
Level: Intermediate
 
Total Hours: 1 Hour
 
Streaming access on desktop and mobile browsers

  Instructor

James Eickhoff
Principal Application Engineer
Anton Paar
  LinkedIn

James Eickhoff is the principal application engineer for the rheology division as a member of the Advanced Technical Support Center at Anton Paar USA. He has over 20 years of theoretical and experimental rheology training, including the last 18.5 years with Anton Paar having guided current and prospective customers on the use of rheological techniques in their industrial and academic research. James earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and Clemson University, respectively. In his spare time, James enjoy lost distance running as well as spending time outdoors with his two black Labradors and wife of 13 years.

  Questions? Contact:

For questions, contact Iván D. López.

  Who Should Attend?

  • Professionals working in plastics, adhesives, and coatings industries
  • R&D and quality control specialists seeking deeper insights into polymer behavior
  • Anyone interested in polymer rheological characterization and its practical implications in industrial applications

  Why Should You Attend?

Are you a Polymer Scientist, Materials Engineer, or R&D Specialist working in plastics, adhesives, coatings, or biomedical applications and looking to better tailor your materials for both processing and performance?
Gain foundational knowledge on viscoelastic balance and learn how to use rheological techniques to refine formulation, enhance performance, and reduce development risks.

Do you work in Process Development, Manufacturing, or Product Engineering and struggle with inconsistent processing behavior or quality issues?
Explore how rotational rheometry can be used to correlate flow behavior with processing performance, helping to optimize die design, mixing, and extrusion.

Are you in Quality Control, Application Development, or Regulatory Affairs and need precise insights into how polymers respond to temperature, frequency, or deformation?
Understand how oscillatory rheological measurements can reveal relaxation dynamics and material structure, improving predictive modeling and compliance.

Are you a Technical Director, Innovation Manager, or Academic Researcher exploring the practical application of polymer characterization tools?
This session provides actionable insights into rheological testing methods, including when and how to use them to solve real-world industrial challenges.

This educational program is provided as a service of SPE. The views and opinions expressed on this or any SPE educational program are those of the Speaker(s) and/or the persons appearing with the Speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc. (SPE) or its officials, employees or designees. To comment or to present an opposing or supporting opinion, please contact us at info@4SPE.org.

Refund Policy

Full refund 30 days prior to the event start date. Please contact customerrelations@4spe.org for assistance with registration.

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