TECHNOLOGY | QUALITY CONTROL


QUALITY CONTROL | TECHNOLOGY


the coupler to be clearly identified, so overdosing could be avoided. “As a result, the coupler content can be optimally adjusted within a short time in accordance with the incoming batch and with regard to the target properties,” the researchers explained. Process control methods such as these will be


increasingly used in plastics processing because they allow early detection of deviations, improved product quality, and a reduction in scrap and material consumption, Steinhoff suggested. Process monitoring also allows better management of fluctuating recyclate qualities, he added.


Testing and piloting A valuable aspect of polymer testing is to support faster and more reliable process optimisation, according to Luis Roca Blay, Compounding Leader at Aimplas. “Beyond compliance or routine quality control, testing should help reduce uncertainty during development, scale-up, and industrialisa- tion, ultimately shortening time to market.” While inline testing implementation may face obstacles for industrial use including technology readiness and the investment required, these instruments can be effectively implemented at pilot-plant level, where they enable the develop- ment of process–material correlations and generate knowledge that can later be transferred to produc- tion, said Roca Blay. Sampling and response time are critical aspects


of testing, which should be run in parallel with compounding or processing trials, he added. “Quality procedures play a crucial role in ensuring that samples are representative of the evaluated process conditions. Equally important is that laboratory methods deliver reliable results within short timeframes, so testing does not become a bottleneck during optimisation,” said Roca Blay. Interpretation of results is also critical. “Analytical results only create value when they can be trans-


Chart 2: Zero-shear viscosity and molar mass Mw as a function of the bisoxazoline content (data from Chart 1) Source: Fraunhofer LBF


lated into concrete and reproducible machine changes, such as adjustments in screw configura- tion, thermal profile, energy input, or dosing strategy. The internal development of structured optimisation procedures is indispensable to secure these changes and to minimise iteration loops, thereby reducing time to market,” said Roca Blay.


CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: � www.goettfert.com � https://hydramotion.com � https://equitechintl.com � www.ampacet.com � https://liadsmart.com � www.coperion.com � https://inspec.tech � www.colvistec.de � www.ikk.uni-hannover.de � www.lbf.fraunhofer.de � www.aimplas.net


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