New Mini Stickiness Rig

Stickiness is a difficult attribute to measure. It can be defined as simply the force of adhesion when two surfaces are contacted with each other. In most materials, the adhesion force is a combination of an adhesive force and a cohesive force.

It is when the adhesive force is high and the cohesive force is low that material is perceived as being sticky. This stickiness property can be either a positive (desirable) or negative (undesirable) characteristic of a product but is very much product dependent. Using a Texture Analyser this characteristic can be quantified in order to determine whether the property is within the correct range for the particular product to either function or be consumed according to expectations.

The Warburtons Dough Stickiness System has proven very popular as a means of testing the stickiness of dough samples. The Warburtons Rig has two sizes which suit the size of the dough pieces (500g and 1000g) that come off the production line, which is the reason for its current dimensions.

However, we have been asked for a similar means of testing smaller samples which may also accommodate semi-solid materials other than dough. The new Mini Stickiness System provides a similar means of testing and is located on the Heavy Duty Platform (which will be required to use this new fixture).

To measure adhesive properties, it is imperative to have a clean separation at the probe‐material interface. The attachment consists of a sample testing box into which samples can be placed quickly and a retaining plate is placed on top of the sample, applying slight compression to the sample. A narrow blade is driven through a slot in the retaining plate, to a defined distance. This action provides operators with an accurate assessment of the compression peak and compression area of the sample, indicators of its consistency (firmness/softness).

As the blade is withdrawn upwards, Exponent Connect software calculates the adhesion peak and adhesion area. The higher the peak, and/or larger the area, the stickier the sample.

This attachment offers a fast test cycle and a blade that is quick to remove and clean between tests, supporting high sample throughput.