TESTING | MATERIALS
the IdentiPol system can distinguish between most commonly used plastics. Confirmation of batch consistency is achieved by comparing measured properties with reference data from previously tested batches. “Unlike other techniques that provide only chemical information, these thermomechanical measurements provide structural information, which will depend on crucial factors such as molecular weight, chain branching, crystallinity, and these can have a significant effect on both processing parameters and product performance,” Peach says.
Above: IdentiPol is claimed to be a cost-effective thermal
analysis tool for routine quality testing
Bridging the gap Improved ease of use also figures in new develop- ments in other areas of materials testing. At Fire Testing Technology (FTT), Marketing Manager Teri-Leigh Peach says its IdentiPol thermomechani- cal analysis quality control bridges the gap between the basic plastic tests found in traditional quality assurance facilities and the complex instruments used in scientific laboratories. FTT is the worldwide distributor of IdentiPol
products, which are manufactured by Lacerta Technology (both companies are based in the UK). The techniques used by IdentiPol are said to be comparable to those used in Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and Differential Scanning Calorim- etry (DSC). “It has been designed as a cost-effec- tive tool for quality assurance, with quick and easy use in mind,” Peach says. “A test can be run by an unskilled operator from start to finish in about 15 minutes [including sample preparation].” There are four basic functions in
Right: The TMA 402 F3 Hyperion Polymer
Edition thermo- mechanical analysis system is designed specifically for low tempera- ture work
IdentiPol: identification of the material; confirmation that a new batch of material is the correct specification; comparison of any test result with stored reference data; and estimation of MFI with each test (available for PE and PP only). Materials identification is derived
from measured thermomechanical properties, for example glass transition temperature and melting point. These key properties are automatically deter- mined, without the need for user intervention. “Since these are bulk properties, analysis is unaffected by fillers, fibres and pigments,” claims Peach, who adds that
28 COMPOUNDING WORLD | January 2021
Chemometric analysis The analysis uses what FTT describes as chemo- metric techniques to automatically assess the match of the incoming material, ultimately provid- ing a pass/fail indication. Batch reports can be generated, which list the key thermomechanical properties together with the chemometric score. “This is useful when a problem arises and it provides solid evidence to a material supplier of differences between current and old batches – a must-have feature where recyclate is used in production,” Peach claims. Using the “comparison” feature, any test result can be scored for similarity against all reference data. This is said to be especially useful when comparing an equivalent grade, perhaps for replacement or substitution of an original material or for the incorporation of recycled material, as it can be used to see how the properties of various grades differ. A practical example of where this can be used is in the event there is uncertainty over the contents of a silo or bin of material. The Identipol system can match the grade to others being used in the factory in one simple test, immediately avoiding the wrong material being used. German engineering group Netzsch has been busy both in product development and in business development. Last year, it acquired Taurus Instru- ments and merged it with Netzsch Analyzing & Testing to create Netzsch Taurus Instruments, based in Weimar, Germany, expand- ing its product range for determining thermal conductivity and heat transmission in materials and fire testing. The company has also added rheology to its thermal analysis product line through the acquisition
IMAGE: NETZSCH
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: FTT/LACERTA TECHNOLOGY
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