ANALYSIS | POLYMER TESTING Testing times for plastics
For reasons ranging from the growing use of recyclate to tougher regulation, testing and indentification of plastics is becoming increasingly important. Chris Saunders learns more
In today’s rapidly changing world, the plastic industry faces numerous and often unforeseen challenges. The ongoing recycling boom and constantly evolving regulatory requirements, for example, together with changing consumer and customer expectations mean that accurate polymer analysis and testing capabilities have never been more crucial. Or complex. This article takes a look at some of the latest testing developments and emerging trends. Polymeric material manufacturers have long been seeking ways to save energy, reduce cost and improve efficiency while maintaining the same product quality, if not improving it. In response, analytical instrument manufacturers have had to quickly adjust to help the industry meet new requirements. Like many testing equipment manufacturers Netzsch, which over the past 60 years has become a leading name in thermal analysis, rheology and fire testing, finds itself increasingly focused on recycling. “Polymer characterisation is important for the circular economy of plastics. To increase recycling
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rates, firstly it is essential to sort the different pre- and post-consumer streams into the individual materials,” says Dr Shona Marsh, Application and Product Marketing Manager Rheology at the company.
IMAGE: NETZSCH
“Secondly, it is necessary to analyse the resulting composition both qualitatively and quantitatively. Different tools for analysis are available, but quantification is still limited. One technology that is suitable for both is Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The characteristic melting peaks and enthalpies can be used to identify and quantify using additional software tools such as Peak Separation and Identify, unique to the Netzsch ecosystem of analysis instruments,” she says. “The melting peaks of a polymer mixture can be seen in the image [Figure 1]. Two peaks are observable, which can be separated into individual peaks using the Peak Separation tool. Once separated, the peaks are identified as LDPE and PP using the Identify software. When the reference material is known the mass associated with the peaks can be calculated using the Concentration feature [and]
Main image: Fast and effective polymer identification and analysis is seen by many as a key
enabler for a circular economy
Left: The DSC 300 Caliris is the latest
addition to the Netzsch DSC range,
designed to maximise testing flexibility and ease of operation
January 2023 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 43
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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