feature | Materials testing
The latest instrument from Netzsch is the DSC 214 Polyma, a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) that is said to be robust, compact and designed for rapid result generation and ease-of-use. DSC calculates the difference between heat fl ows into a sample crucible
and a reference, generating a signal
that is a function of temperature and/or time. The process provides data for the analysis and quality control of polymers in areas such as specifi c heat, melting and crystallisation temperatures and enthalpies, degree of crystallinity, glass-transition temperature and
oxidative stability. The DSC 214 Polyma features a
Above: The handheld PolyMax Plastics Analyzer from TSI uses Raman spectroscopy to analyze and identify recycled plastics
sensor with high calorimetric sensitivity, short time constant and a condensation-free sample chamber, which is claimed to improve reproducibility and precision in baseline stability and signal intensity. Software developments on this new device include AutoEvaluation and Identify. AutoEvaluation generates a one-click evaluation of key thermoplastic effects such as glass transitions or melting points. Identify com- pares the evaluated curve of a sample with the saved measurements of accepted samples and with an integrated database of materials, enhancing identifi ca- tion and quality control. The DSC 214 Polyma can be used to detect impurities in recyclate and to differentiate among material fractions
in batches of reclaim. It is also possible to detect the substrate material of the coloured masterbatches used to pigment the polymers. The process can be combined with thermosgravimetric analysis (TGA) and evolved gas analysis to evaluate complex formulations. Schmölzer cites an example of how the Identify
software can be applied to quality control. A DSC measurement on a broken PA 6 part showed a melting peak at a lower temperature than that of a good part. In comparing the measurement curve of the failed part to that of a saved good part, the Identify software generated a low agreement rate with the saved sample of 56.61%. This likely meant that the part was not moulded of pure PA6, as specifi ed, but from a blend of different PA types. This led to failure. TSI’s PolyMax Plastics Analyser is a new handheld
instrument that uses laser-based Raman spectroscopy to develop a spectrum or “fi ngerprint” of refl ected light for material identifi cation and analysis. The company says the device was developed primarily for plastics brokers and recycling facilities, but it appears to have benefi ts for compounders, as well, since it provides an accurate and portable means of identifying and certifying recyclate resins. TSI says the Plastics Analyser will quickly detect a wide variety of polymers from all of the major families and sub-sets in whatever form, whether it be rolls, bales, fl akes, sheets, pellets or purgings. It
differentiates between plastics that are similar to each other, such as high-density and low-density
polyethylene, as well as different types of PET, PA6 and PA66, and ABS and styrene acrylonitrile. The device will also provide accurate results with light-coloured and black plastics, according to the company, although dark polymers and plastics with fl uorescent dyes typically require longer sampling and analysis times.
Spectra generated by the Raman procedure refl ect the unique chemical composition of the individual materials. A spectrum derived by the instrument is compared with a library of spectra and the best match used to identify the plastic (the instrument’s pre-loaded library contains more than 100 plastics). The battery- powered device stores a PDF report of each analysis, which includes polymer ID, analysis score, spectrum and picture of the sample.
Facilitating tests Simplicity and ease-of-use are key features of
PerkinElmer’s Spotlight 200i FTIR Microscopy System uses advanced algorithms to identify and analyze regions of interest in samples
60 COMPOUNDING WORLD | September 2015
PerkinElmer’s Spotlight 200i FTIR Microscopy System. This automated unit is designed for analysis of micro and macro samples. According to Jerry Sellors, IR product manager environmental health at the company, it employs “built-in intelligence” to automatically locate
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PHOTO: TSI
PHOTO: PERKINELMER
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