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Analytical Instrumentation
Exemplary Bioplastics Leader Relies on Instrumentation Range to Optimise Production
NatureWorks LLC, a global leader in the bioplastics industry based in Minnesota, is using a variety of material characterisation tools from Malvern Instruments (UK) to accelerate product development and achieve market leading quality standards. NatureWorks is the world’s leading supplier, under the trade name Ingeo™, of polylactic acid, a high performance polymer with a carbon footprint significantly lower than conventional petroleum-based alternatives. Data generated using the Viscotek TDAmax, Malvern’s advanced triple detector gel permeation chromatography (GPC) system, and the Rosand RH-7, a floorstanding capillary rheometer, enable the company to tailor the polymer to meet the exacting demands of the polymer processing community. In addition, a Viscotek dilute solution viscosity system provides sensitive quality control.
Ingeo is used commercially in the production of extruded and thermoformed containers, fibers and non-wovens, films, and extrusion and emulsion coatings. In many cases it is processed - extruded, blown and injection molded - using conventional equipment with only minor modification. While this simplifies the displacement of traditional polymers in established markets it demands tight control of polymer properties.
“Both the Rosand and TDAmax have specific features that are of significant value to us,” comments Jed Randall, research scientist at NatureWorks. “We use the Rosand (our second) to assess the effect of additives and molecular structure on extrusion properties such as die swell, melt fracture and shear thinning behaviour. The melt haul-off device is especially useful as it gives a direct measure of melt strength, a key variable for fiber production and melt processing. With the TDAmax we measure absolute molecular weight and the degree of branching in the polymer, an important control parameter.”
The Viscotek TDAmax has an integrated triple detector array that includes a revolutionary low angle light scattering (LALS) detector and a four-capillary differential viscometer. It measures absolute molecular weight, and intrinsic viscosity data, which together quantify branching and molecular size. The Rosand RH7 is a twin-bore floor standing capillary rheometer with unsurpassed performance in terms of speed control, accuracy and dynamic operating range. The haul-off device is an attachment to the rheometer that is used to measure the melt strength and to simulate fiber drawing and blow molding processes.
Reader Reply Card No New UV-visible-NIR Microspectrophotometer Offers Perfect Vision for Science™
Craic Technologies, (USA) is proud to introduce the 20/20™ UV-visible-NIR microspectrophotometer. As the new flagship product for Craic Technologies, 20/20™ microspectrophotometer is designed to non-destructively analyse many types of microscopic samples from the deep ultraviolet to the near infrared. Analysis of samples can be done by absorbance, reflectance, luminescence and fluorescence with unparalleled speed and accuracy. The system can also be configured to image microscopic samples in the UV and NIR regions in addition to color imaging. Applications are numerous and include forensic analysis of trace evidence, vitrinite reflectance of coal and spectral analysis of minerals, measurement of protein crystals, contamination analysis and thin film measure- ment of semiconductors, hard disks and flat panel displays. Combined with Craic Technologies Traceable Standards, which are specifically designed for use with microspec- trophotometers and calibrated using Standard Reference Materials from NIST, the 20/20 microspectrophotometer™ is the cutting-edge micro-analysis tool for any laboratory or manufacturing facility.
multi EA® 5000 – New Elemental Analyzer
“Craic Technologies has been an innovator in the field of UV-visible-NIR microanalysis since its founding. We have helped to advance the field
of microscale analysis with innovative instrumentation, software, research and teaching. The 20/20™ microspectrophotometer is the ideal tool for a laboratory or factory due its reliability, its speed and its ease of use” states Dr. Paul Martin, President of Craic Technologies. “Craic Technologies microspectrophotometers are backed by years of experience in both designing, building and the using of this type of instrumentation for spectroscopic and image analysis.”
Standards that you won’t want to be without Multi-element, C, N, S, Cl determination in a single device Extended measuring range, ultra-modern detectors ranging from ppb to wt-% Multi-application, one analyzer for liquid, paste-like, solid, gaseous and LPG samples
Multi-matrix autosampler for the fully automatic determination of solid and liquid samples, vertical and horizontal
Conformity with a multitude of common international and national standards such as ASTM, EPA, DIN, ISO, EN etc.
Easy to use, preset standard methods Double furnace technology, vertical and horizontal operating mode in a single device
Self Check System (SCS) for optimum operating safety Flame sensor technology for matrix-optimized sample quantitative combustion
Reader Reply Card No 33 The easiest way to contact us
leads@pin-pub.com Request information on products featured in this issue
The 20/20™ microspectrophotometer integrates an advanced spectro- photometer with a sophisticated UV-visible-NIR range microscope and powerful, easy-to-use software. This flexible instrument is designed to acquire data from microscopic samples by absorbance, reflectance or even luminescence spectroscopy. By including high-resolution digital imaging, the user is also able to use the instrument as a ultraviolet or infrared microscope. Touch screen controls, sophisticated software, calibrated variable apertures and other innovations all point to a new level of sophistication for microanalysis. With high sensitivity, durable design, ease-of-use, multiple imaging and spectroscopic techniques, automation and the support of CRAIC Technologies, the 20/20 Perfect Vision™ is more than just a scientific instrument…it is the solution to your analytical challenges.
Reader Reply Card No 34 32
February/March 2010
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