TECHNOLOGY | POLYMER TESTING
software can now be used to identify unknowns. Jeol’s msFineAnalysis AI software, introduced in
2023, allows “deconvolution of GC-MS data into mass spectrum, library search, molecular ion search, accurate mass analysis, isotope pattern matching, and structural analysis [that] can all happen within minutes,” the company explained. Katzenmeyer reported that in tests measuring the AI model’s performance, the correct structure was identified as the top hit for 41% of the evaluation compounds, and for another 46%, a similar structure was identified. “The analyst is presented with all available GC-MS (and GCxGC-MS) data in a concise format, along with AI-proposed structures for compounds not in commercially available mass spectral databases,” explained Katzenmeyer. “For this reason, the software simplifies the identification of unknowns, including pyrolysis products, additives, and contaminants. The accuracy of our spectral algorithm has improved with each software revision, and we expect the AI database to con- tinue growing.” A method for evaluating recycled PET com- pounds used Py-GC-TOFMS to evaluate a PET refer- ence bottle and the upcycled rPET and found unknowns in the rPET product. The AI library identified an unknown as a methyl acrylate-styrene copolymer, which could have been blended with the rPET. Katzenmeyer said that the company’s Py-GC-TOFMS and Py-GCxGC-TOFMS, coupled with qualitative data analysis tools, will support problem-solving and method development for challenging recycling applications.
Mechanical tester New from Waters Corporation is the TA Instru- ments ElectroForce Apex 1 Mechanical Testing Instrument for tensile and fatigue testing of high performance and lightweight polymers and composites. The company said that the instru- ment’s increased motor stroke range provides the ability for testing a greater variety of materials and speeds testing by up to 30%. New software features include TuneIQ Technol-
ogy, which can automatically tune the instrument without operator intervention and without addi- tional, invasive stress or strain applied to the sample. The new motor control system improves break-stop capabilities during mechanical testing for unsupervised experiments and intelligent data acquisition to help prevent computer hard drive overload by selecting test-specific data parameters and limiting collection to more critical and man- ageable data, the company reported.
36 COMPOUNDING WORLD | March 2026
Although a range of standardised laboratory tests can be used to measure and compare the physical properties of plastic parts, these tests may not adequately represent how materials will perform in some applications, such as polyamide- based parts used for offshore oil and gas systems. A new, patent-pending method from Alpine Polytech is designed for in-situ testing under high-pressure, high-temperature, and chemical environments to more accurately reflect in-service conditions. An in-situ module keeps the material sample in
the target media (eg, hydrocarbons, brines) under the specified conditions (up to 10,000 psi and up to 200° C) and aging for hours to months. Once the aging duration concludes, the module is loaded into an Instron universal testing machine for physical property testing. “Existing tests include tension, compression,
bonding, bending, CSR, and shear but the module test methods are only limited by the user’s imagina- tion,” said Buc Slay, CTO at Alpine Polytech. This method differs from industry-standard immersion testing, which involves aging a material in a service environment and then removing it from that environment to clean, dry, and cool before testing at ambient conditions, said Alpine Polytech. “Changes created when materials are saturated
with reactive gases like hydrogen or ammonia can alter material behaviour, but these effects may not be present after removal from a vessel and degas- sing,” the company explained. The module can be decoupled from the Instron machine while samples are aging so that only one Instron is needed to keep 20+ modules aging and testing. A new method based on the Strain Hardening
Test is being developed for quality testing PP recyclates in a two-year project with federal funding in Germany. SKZ, which has recently completed the expansion of its compounding and extrusion technical centre in Würzburg, Germany, is leading the project and will focus on the dependence of the test results on mixture proportions and ratios.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.goettfert.com �
https://hydramotion.com �
www.aimplas.net �
www.zwickroell.com �
www.byk-instruments.com �
www.anton-paar.com �
www.netzsch.com �
www.jeol.com �
www.tainstruments.com �
https://alpinepolytech.com �
www.skz.de
www.compoundingworld.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
