POLYMER TESTING | ANALYSIS
Data in Figure 2 shows the storage and loss modulus of two PA12 materials. It can be seen from the shift in the cross-over point of both moduli on the X-axis that the molecular weight has increased during processing. It can also be seen that the molecular weight distribution was only slightly affected, indicated by the small shift in the cross- over point on the Y-axis.
Figure 1: Melting curves from a Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis can be used to identify and quantify amounts of different polymers, in this case LDPE and PP, using software tools to separate the peaks Source: Netzsch
Software innovations Thermal analysis techniques have been an essential part of raw materials and finished goods analysis for many years and analytical instrument manufacturers have responded by using the latest software to push the limits of the techniques and increase detection limits. Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science, part of Hitachi High-Tech Group, is investing considerable development effort in software tools. “Driven by Industry 4.0, many polymetric
Figure 2: Rheological data showing storage and loss shear modulus of two PA12 polymers. The square data points represent virgin material and the round data points a recyclate. The shift in the cross-over point on the X-axis shows that molecular weight increased during processing Source: Netzsch
the results summarised on the graph. “In addition, quantification of inorganic materials such as metal fragments in a polymer delivery can be measured with a Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), where mass loss during decomposition can be precisely determined,” Marsh says. Dr Natalie Rudolph, Business Field Manager
Polymers - Global Business Development at Netzsch, says the company’s testing expertise also extends to processing insights. “Rheological characterisation can assist in optimising processing parameters. Rheological measurements range from establishing shear and extensional viscosity in order to assess processability, through to the determination of viscoelastic properties, namely storage and loss shear modulus, to gain insight in molecular weight and molecular weight distribution.”
44 COMPOUNDING WORLD | January 2023
material manufacturers are looking for ways to improve traceability, prevent human error and increase effectiveness,” says Olivier Savard, Product Manager Thermal Analysis at the company. “Software options like the recently launched Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science’s input/output software update improve workflow efficiency through automatic analysis to allow end users to simply scan a bar code to have the sample information, method settings, analysis method and where/how the results need to be saved included automatically within its thermal analysis software. When used with an autosampler, users get a complete automation from sample information input to results export which helps to reduce costs.” According to Savard, material analyser connectivity is also an increasingly prominent emerging trend. “The idea of a fully integrated, connected, and flexible analysis equipment that feeds smart factories with a constant stream of data is coming and is much closer than many think,” he says. “This data provides valuable information to the workforce, enabling them to make the right decisions at the right time to reduce wastage and costs to improve production yield, throughput and crucially, bottom line.” Another trend highlighted by Savard is the
combination of different technologies. “Extra information like the effect of temperature on the sample colour can now be investigated with camera systems fitted on thermal analysis instruments, like Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science’s RealView,” he says. “Over the last few years, it has become easier to gather more information from thermal analysis by
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