Polymer/rubber analysis and testing
Scientific Services offers a wide range of specialised analytical test
facilities dedicated to solving problems in both the polymer and rubber
industry which include:
Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy
Used to scan the infrared range to identify a variety of chemical
functional groups, molecular absorbed species and oxidation. In
photo-acoustic mode, the FTIR is capable of generating IR absorbance
spectra of all types of solid materials (sheet, chunk, pellet, powder,
semi-solid) to a controllable sampling depth with little or no sample
preparation. The generated FTIR spectra can be compared to a computer
spectral database to aid with polymer identification.
Typical analysis cost: $300 ex GST per sample
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy
NMR analysis is a powerful tool able to provide data regarding the type,
quantity and arrangement of different atoms in chemical systems, liquids
and solids. Multinuclear (1H, 13C, 15N, 27Al, 29Si and 31P) capabilities
in both solution and solid state enable problems to be solved in a
variety of industries including polymer, pharmaceutical, petroleum and
mining industries. Within the polymer industry, NMR helps us understand
monomer type and level, chain branching, sequencing, molecular weight
and end grouping.
Typical analysis cost: $270 ex GST for 1 hour/$400 ex GST for 8
hours/$550 ex GST for 24 hours
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
TGA is based upon accurate measuring of the weight change of a sample as
a specific heating profile is applied to the sample. The sample is
placed directly, or in an appropriate crucible, onto the pan of an
analytical balance and enclosed in a furnace. By precise control of the
furnace, the sample is heated (ambient up to 950C) to a pre-determined
program. Such programs contain, in the simplest systems, constant
temperature ramps and/or isothermal periods. The atmosphere in the
furnace can be controlled for gas type and flow rate. A trace of weight
change versus temperature or time is obtained; the weight loss on the y
axis in such measurements is always quantitative. Provides information
on polymer/rubber composition together with amounts of carbon black and
other inorganic filler material that may be present within it.
Typical analysis cost: $385 ex GST per sample
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
DSC measures the amount of energy absorbed or released by a sample as it
is heated, cooled or held at a constant temperature. It measures heat
flows associated with transitions in materials as a function of time and
temperature (-100C to +550C). Such measurements provide quantitative and
qualitative information about physical and chemical changes that involve
endothermic or exothermic processes, or changes in heat capacity.
Typical information provided by DSC analysis can include melting point
temperature, glass transition temperature, cold crystallisation
temperature and oxidative induction temperature. In modulated mode,
thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of materials can be
measured. In Photo-DSC mode, UV cure times and associated energies can
be measured of certain materials. The atmosphere in the furnace can be
controlled for gas type and flow rate.
Typical analysis cost: $380 ex GST per sample.
Simultaneous Differential Thermogravimetric Analysis (SDT)
SDT analysis provides both TGA (provides a quantitative weight loss
profile) and DSC (provides melting, crystallisation and glass transition
temperatures) thermal information in the one analysis run. This rugged
and reliable technique can provide quality results from ambient
temperature up to +1450C at controlled heating rates. The atmosphere in
the furnace can be controlled for gas type and flow rate.
Typical analysis cost: $400 ex GST per sample
Dynamic Mechanical Analyser (DMA)
DMA measures the mechanical properties (modulus, damping, creep, stress
relaxation, glass transitions and softening points) of polymeric
materials (sheets, fibres, gels or viscous liquids) as a function of
time, temperature and frequency. The instrument operates over a
temperature range of -140C to +600C using heating ramps up to 50C/min.
The atmosphere in the furnace can be controlled for gas type and flow
rate.
Typical analysis cost: $630 ex GST per sample
Tensile Testing
Tensile testing is a common laboratory test which is used to evaluate
and analyse the mechanical properties of materials. The samples are
typically mounted between chuck jaws and then stretched at a constant
rate until break. The resultant force versus extension data is recorded
using computer software, from which, information such as Youngs Modulus,
Ultimate Tensile Strength and Yield strength can be calculated. All
measurements are performed at room temperature. The maximum load of the
instrument is 10kN.
Typical analysis cost: $180 ex GST per sample (includes 5 specimens to
improve statistical accuracy).
Raman Spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy involves the interaction of light with matter. It is
a non-destructive technique based on inelastic light scattering, i.e.,
the energy, or the frequency, of the incident laser light is changed, or
shifted. The difference between the incident and scattered frequencies
corresponds to an excitation of the molecular system, most often an
excitation of a vibrational mode. By measuring the intensity of the
scattered light as a function of the frequency difference, we obtain a
Raman spectrum, which reveals information about a sample's chemical
structure and physical state.
Typical analysis cost: $300 ex GST per sample
Rheology
Rheology is used to study the flow and deformation of matter. It is
particularly concerned with the properties of matter that determine its
behaviour when a mechanical force is exerted on it. Matter can be
complex materials such as muds, sludges, suspensions, polymers, many
foods, and biological materials. The three rheometers housed at The Wark
allow deformation, controlled shear stress/shear rate and other flow
characterisation measurements to be performed at temperatures in the
range -10C to +150C.
Typical analysis cost: $195 ex GST per sample
UV Visible Spectrophotometry
When electromagnetic radiation in the UV, visible and Near IR regions
passes through a compound containing multiple bonds, a portion of the
radiation is usually absorbed by the compound. Just how much of the
radiation is absorbed depends on the wavelength of the radiation, the
structure of the compound and the concentration of the compound. UV
Visible spectrophotometry is routinely used in the quantitative
investigation of transition metal ions and highly conjugated organic
compounds. Further capabilities can include measuring transmission
spectra of coatings through solid substrates such as glass. The
wavelength range covered by the spectrophotometers housed at The Wark is
190-3300nm.
Typical analysis cost: $160 ex GST per sample
Accelerated Weathering
Accelerated weathering can be achieved at The Wark using a digitally
controlled xenon arc environmental chamber that can age samples through
UV, heat and humidity following common ASTM, SAE and ISO standards.
Samples are rotated continuously during the test with relative humidity,
irradiance and water spray being uniformly controlled via the computer
interface. Common applications include automotive materials, plastics,
inks, paints and coatings, packaging, textiles, photovoltaics and
ophthalmic devices. A simpler and more basic UV and water exposure
weathering chamber is also available for less rigorous investigations of
small samples.
Analysis cost: Price on application
Moisture and Oxygen Permeation Rates
Moisture and oxygen permeation rates can be measured for flat polymeric
films. Measurements are typically performed on two separate samples of
identical material in duplicate to ensure data reproducibility.
Applications include food packaging analysis and polymeric barrier
testing.
Analysis cost: Price on application
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
SEM is a powerful tool able to provide images of a surface with a finely
focussed electron beam. The achievable magnification of the SEM is
typically around several hundreds of thousands times thereby enabling
detection of features on the nanometre scale.
Typical analysis cost: $290 per hour
X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)
XPS (Kratos Axis Ultra) is the most commonly used technique for
investigating elements in the outermost atomic layers of materials and
is used to quantitatively determine valence states, bonding environments
and the elemental composition of surface layers. This instrument has the
ability to acquire very high energy resolution spectra and can perform
chemical imaging at high spatial resolution down to dimensional scales
of a few microns.