Below, you’ll find descriptions of some of the techniques provided by Jordi Labs. If you don’t see a technique that you’re interested in, contact us. We frequently add new techniques to our portfolio. We can help with most any analytical problem.
In this analysis, samples are placed in a clean crucible and heated in an oven at 1000°C until the sample burns. Upon cooling, the sample is then re-weighed to determine ash content.
AFM can be used to examine fine surface roughness down to the nm level.
Measures apparent viscosity (resistance to flow) over a broad range of shear rates and at varied temperatures, which are comparable to the conditions encountered in molding, calendaring, extrusion, etc. The data is commonly used to determine processing parameters, for lot-to-lot quality control, to measure processing degradation, which could reduce physical properties, and to study thermal stability.
According to customer specifications, temperature, shear rate and other parameters are selected. In a Shear Sweep melted plastic is extruded through a capillary and the force at varied shear rates is determined. To determine Thermal Stability, melted plastic is extruded through a capillary after varied periods of residence time in the barrel of the extruder. (Read more)
Determine the oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) content by combustion.
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion can be determined using ASTM E831, D696 as a guideline. CTE can be monitored within the plane of a material, or in the direction of the thickness of the material.
The sample is dissolved into a suitable solvent and insoluble materials are removed by filtration. The soluble fraction is precipitated and weights for the soluble and insoluble portion of the sample are compared. The percent insoluble material is used as an estimate of crosslink density.
Samples are subjected to crygrinding at liquid nitrogen temperatures.
The sample is placed into a quartz tube and dropped into a heating chamber at 300ºC. Volatile components of the sample are desorbed and then transferred in the gas phase into a gas chromatography column. Components are then separated as a function of temperature and interaction with the column stationary phase. They are then subjected to an electron impact (EI) mass spectrometry source. This results in a characteristic fragmentation pattern for each component. Comparison of the sample spectra to reference spectra for thousands of known compounds often allows for positive component identification. This technique provides information on volatile sample components.
The sample is dissolved into a suitable solvent and insoluble materials are removed by filtration. The soluble fraction is precipitated and weights for the soluble and insoluble portion of the sample are compared. The percent insoluble material is used as an estimate of crosslink density.
The sample is placed into an aluminum pan and heated at a constant rate. Differences in the amount of energy required to increase the sample temperature provide insight into the material structure including both chemistry and crystallinity.
The sample is placed into an aluminum pan and heated at a constant rate. Differences in the amount of energy required to increase the sample temperature provide insight into the material structure including both chemistry and crystallinity. Modulated DSC (MDSC) allows us to determine reversing and nonreversing transitions.
A dissolution study includes several trials to find an appropriate solvent, solvent(s) and/or mixtures to dissolve your material.
A particulate sample is passed through a monochromatic, collimated light beam. Light is scattered at various angles relative to the incident beam. The intensity of the light and its angularity is then related to particle size based on Mie and Fraunhofer theory. The measured particle size is also a function of the wavelength of incident light and the relative refractive index of the suspension fluid and particle. Samples containing a range of particle sizes result in a pattern of scattered light which is the summation of all the contributions of intensity by each particle at each angle. Particle sizes ranging from .1-1000μ can be analyzed by this method.
DMA identifies transition regions in plastics, such as the glass transition (Tg).
X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), also known as Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA), is a surface analysis technique used for obtaining chemical information about the surfaces of solid materials. Insulators and conductors can easily be analyzed from areas a few microns and larger. The method utilizes an x-ray beam to excite a solid sample resulting in the emission of photoelectrons. An energy analysis of these photoelectrons provides both elemental and chemical bonding information about the material comprising the sample surface. All elements, except hydrogen and helium can be detected.
In XPS analysis, the sample is placed in an ultrahigh vacuum environment and exposed to a low-energy, monochromatic X-ray source, x-ray excitation causes the emission of photoelectrons from the atomic shells of the elements present on the surface. The energy of these electrons is characteristic of the element from which they are emitted. By counting the number of electrons as a function of energy, a spectrum representative of the surface composition is obtained. The area under peaks in the spectrum is a measure of the relative amount of each element present, and the shape and position of the peaks reflect the chemical state for each element.
XPS is a surface sensitive technique because only those photoelectrons generated near the surface can escape and become available for detection. Due to collisions within the sample’s atomic structure, those photoelectrons originating much more than about 20 to 100 Å below the surface are unable to escape from the surface with sufficient energy to be detected.
Particle size information is obtained by L- Zone through the measurement of the conductivity of the solution as the particles pass through a sensing zone. The presence of the particle within the sensing zone displaces a volume of liquid and thus reduces the measured conductivity. The momentary decrease in the current results in an electric pulse whose amplitude is proportional to the volume of electrolyte solution displaced. This allows the determination of the particle size. The instrument then sums the number of particles of a particular size passing through the sensing zone over a specific period of time. A plot of the particle size distribution is then obtained. The volume is measured directly but the size is reported as the equivalent spherical size and equals the size of a sphere that displaces the same volume of liquid. Particle sizes ranging from .4-1200µ can be analyzed by this method.
Provides a mass spectrometric profile of the sample’s chemical composition as a function of temperature.
The sample is placed into a suitable solvent in a metal wire cage and extracted for a specified period of time. Alternatively, the sample is subject to soxhlet extraction for a specified period of time. Gravimetric analysis of the residual sample is used to determine the percent extractables. This technique can be coupled with mass spectroscopy to determine the chemical structures of the extractable species.
Flexural modulus relates to a material’s stiffness when flexed. Testing can be modified to simulate the temperature which simulates the intended end use conditions, since the physical properties of a material may differ depending on the surrounding temperature.
The sample is dissolved into a suitable solvent and polymeric components are separated from residual solvents and additives. The purified polymer is then analyzed using a tetradetection array including right and low angle light scattering, viscometry, and refractive index detectors. The resulting signals are used to calculate the weight average molecular weight, average polymer size, intrinsic viscosity, and percent polymer in the sample. FIPA excels as a quality control tool for high through-put screening and for determination of polymer intrinsic viscosity.
The sample is placed into an infrared source and the absorption characteristics of the material are monitored. Spectra are compared with reference spectra for thousands of known compounds to aid in major component identification (>5%). This technique is generally applied for the determination of the chemical composition of the polymer matrix.
Size exclusion chromatography can be used to collect molecular weight fractions of interest from a sample.
A weighed volume of the sample (approx. 2g) will be submerged into a known volume of chloroform (10ml) for 1 hour with stirring. Extracted sample components will then be freed from remaining starting material by filtration (.5um filter) followed by concentration using an antivaporator. The solid will then be dissolved in a known volume of chloroform (1ml). The resulting liquid will then be injected into the GC-MS using an auto-injector and then transferred in the gas phase into a gas chromatography column. Components are then separated as a function of temperature and interaction with the column stationary phase. They are then subjected to an electron impact (EI) mass spectrometry source. The resulting characteristic fragmentation patterns are then used for component identification. Comparison of the sample spectra to reference spectra for thousands of known compounds often allows for positive component identification. Comparison with a calibration curve for known amounts of the reference material can then be used for quantitation. A three point calibration is standard. This technique only provides information on volatile sample components.
A weighed volume of the sample (approx. 2g) will be submerged into a known volume of chloroform (10ml) for 1 hour with stirring. Extracted sample components will then be freed from remaining starting material by filtration (.5um filter) followed by concentration using an antivaporator. The solid will then be dissolved in a known volume of chloroform (1ml). The resulting liquid will then be injected into the GC-MS using an auto-injector and then transferred in the gas phase into a gas chromatography column. Components are then separated as a function of temperature and interaction with the column stationary phase. They are then subjected to an electron impact (EI) mass spectrometry source. The resulting characteristic fragmentation patterns are then used for component identification. Comparison of the sample spectra to reference spectra for thousands of known compounds often allows for positive component identification.
A weighed volume of the sample (approx. 2g) will be submerged into a known volume of chloroform (10ml) for 1 hour with stirring. Extracted sample components will then be freed from remaining starting material by filtration (.5um filter) followed by concentration using an antivaporator. The solid will then be dissolved in a known volume of chloroform (1ml). The resulting liquid will then be injected into the GC-MS using an auto-injector and then transferred in the gas phase into a gas chromatography column. Components are then separated as a function of temperature and interaction with the column stationary phase. They are then subjected to an electron impact (EI) mass spectrometry source. The resulting characteristic fragmentation patterns are then used for component identification. Comparison of the sample spectra to reference spectra for thousands of known compounds often allows for positive component identification. Comparison with a calibration curve for known amounts of the reference material can then be used for quantitation. A three point calibration is standard. This technique only provides information on volatile sample components.
A portion of the sample is placed into a headspace sampling unit at a specified temperature. The gas above the sample is then injected onto a gas chromatography column. Components are separated as a function of temperature and interaction with the column stationary phase. They are then subjected to an electron impact (EI) mass spectrometry source. The resulting characteristic fragmentation patterns are used for component identification. Comparison of the sample spectra to reference spectra for thousands of known compounds often allows for positive component identification. Comparison with a calibration curve for known amounts of the reference material can then be used for quantitation. A three point calibration is standard. This technique only provides information on volatile sample components.
The sample is placed into a suitable solvent and passed through a GPC column. Sample components are separated based on molecular size. Comparison with standards of known value allows the determination of relative molecular weights of sample components. Molecular weight is often a crucial factor in determining material properties. Jordi Labs produces a complete line of size exclusion columns providing us with unique expertise and access to a wide selection of column stationary phases.
The sample is placed into a suitable solvent and passed through a series GPC columns. Sample components are separated based on molecular size. Comparison with standards of known value allows the determination of relative molecular weights of sample components. Molecular weight is often a crucial factor in determining material properties. Jordi Labs produces a complete line of size exclusion columns providing us with unique expertise and access to a wide selection of column stationary phases.
This method is most often applied for the analysis of polyethylene and polypropylene. The sample is placed into trichlorobenzene in the presence of an antioxidant and passed through a GPC column at 145ºC. Sample components are separated based on molecular size. Comparison with standards of known value allows the determination of relative molecular weights of sample components. Molecular weight is often a crucial factor in determining material properties.
Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) can be used, when appropriate, to determine the concentration of a polymer in a mixture. The concentration would be calculated against calibration curve created by analyzing a series of reference standards of the polymerwith known concentration. Refractive index detection would be used for this analysis.
The sample is placed into a suitable solvent and passed through a GPC column. Sample components are separated based on molecular size and simultaneously submitted to online FTIR analysis. Comparison with standards of known value allows the determination of relative molecular weights of sample components. Chemical identification of each sample component is attempted using comparison with reference spectrum. Changes in the chemistry of polymeric materials can be observed across the molecular weight distribution providing information otherwise unobtainable by any other method. Jordi Labs is the first analytical laboratory in the country with online GPC-FTIR capability. We also produce a complete line of size exclusion columns providing us with unique expertise and access to a wide selection of column stationary phases.
This method is preferred for the analysis of polymer blends which contain overlapping molecular weight distributions. The sample is placed into a suitable solvent and passed through a GPC column. Sample components are separated based on molecular size. The sample signal is monitored using an Infrared detector at a wavelength chosen based on the sample component of interest. Other components will not be detected if an appropriate frequency is selected. Comparison with standards of known value allows the determination of relative molecular weights of sample components. Molecular weight is often a crucial factor in determining material properties. Jordi Labs produces a complete line of size exclusion columns providing us with unique expertise and access to a wide selection of column stationary phases.
The sample is placed into a suitable solvent and passed through a GPC column. Sample components are separated based on molecular size. Right angle light scattering, low angle light scattering, Viscometry, UV, and refractive index detection are conducted on the sample as it exits from the column enabling the determination of the absolute molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity. Molecular weight is often a crucial factor in determining material properties. This technique provides information on the molecular size of the polymer components in the sample.
The sample is prepared for analysis by extraction, precipitation, or ashing depending on the quantitation desired. The residual weight is then measured on an analytical balance. Duplicate samples are analyzed to demonstrate the reproducibility of the method.
A portion of the sample is placed into a headspace sampling unit at a specified temperature. The gas above the sample is then injected onto a gas chromatography column. Components are separated as a function of temperature and interaction with the column stationary phase. They are then subjected to an electron impact (EI) mass spectrometry source. The resulting characteristic fragmentation patterns are used for component identification. Comparison of the sample spectra to reference spectra for thousands of known compounds often allows for positive component identification. Comparison with a calibration curve for known amounts of the reference material can then be used for quantitation. A three point calibration is standard. This technique only provides information on volatile sample components.
This technique can be used to separate analytes. Detection methods available include ultaviolet (UV), diode array (DAD), evaporative light scattering (ELSD), and fluoresence. Additional detectors may be available upon request. HPLC provides a general measure of product purity through identification of the number and relative signal strength for the compounds detected.
This technique can be used to quantify the presence of organic additives in polymer samples. The polymer matrix is first extracted with a suitable organic solvent to release the additives. The extract is then injected into the HPLC system and components are separated using reverse phase, size exclusion, or normal phase chromatography. Components are then analyzed using evaporative light scattering, multi-wavelength UV, or fluorescence detection. Comparison with standards of known concentration allows for quantitation of the desired sample components.
The sample is placed into a suitable solvent (non-solvent for the particles) and passed through a non-porous GPC resin. Sample components are separated based on molecular size. Comparison with standards of known value allows the determination of relative molecular weight or size. Size distribution information is also provided. Jordi FLP produces a complete line of size exclusion columns providing us with unique expertise and access to a wide selection of column stationary phases.
Impact Resistance test measures a material’s resistance to impact. Kinetic energy is applied to the material to promote breakage. The impact measurement relates to a material’s toughness.
This technique combines a highly sensitive mass spectrometric detector (up to one part in 1012) with an inductively coupled plasma source. The sample is burned and the resulting components are identified based on their characteristic ions. Sample digestion is required prior to analysis and losses of the sample component of interest can result. This technique is applicable for a broad range of metals.
Determination of inherent viscosity by solution viscosity measurements using a Ubbelohde viscometer. Includes measurement at one concentration with triplicate measurements.
The intrinsic viscosity provides a measure of the size of a polymer molecule in solution. It can be described as inverse molecular density and has units of cm3/g. This parameter provides an excellent way to examine polymer shape including branching when used for comparative analysis of samples. Analysis of sample solutions of three different concentrations followed by extrapolation to zero concentration is used to determine the intrinsic viscosity.
This technique can be used to separate mixtures of soluble components based on their charge. Samples are dissolved in a suitable solvent and separated based on their interaction with the column’s stationary phase. A conductivity detector is used for this application. Jordi Labs produces its own line of ion exchange columns providing us with unique expertise and access to a wide selection of column stationary phases.
The sample is dissolved in a suitable solvent. The volume of water is then determined by titration using Karl Fischer reagent.
A particulate sample is passed through a monochromatic, collimated light beam. Light is scattered at various angles relative to the incident beam. The intensity of the light and its angularity is then related to particle size based on Mie and Fraunhofer theory. The measured particle size is also a function of the wavelength of incident light and the relative refractive index of the suspension fluid and particle.
Samples containing a range of particle sizes result in a pattern of scattered light which is the summation of all the contributions of intensity by each particle at each angle. Particle sizes ranging from .1-1000µ can be analyzed by this method.
Determination of limit of detection of an instrument for a compound of interest.
The sample is dissolved into a suitable solvent and then separated by liquid chromatography. Sample components are then passed into an electrospray ionization source for analysis by mass spectrometry. Comparison with reference spectra from thousands of known compounds often allows for positive sample component identification. This technique can be applied successfully in some cases in which non-volatility of sample components prevents their detection by PYMS and it also has greater sensitivity than PYMS. This technique provides information on the additives in the polymer matrix. This LCMS option does not include quantitation. Please contact Jordi for information on formal quantitation.
The sample is dissolved into a suitable solvent and then separated by liquid chromatography. Sample components are then passed into an electrospray ionization source for analysis by mass spectrometry. Comparison against reference standard(s) of known concentration often allows for compound quantitation. This technique can be applied successfully in some cases in which non-volatility of sample components prevents their detection by other analytical techniques.
QTOF-LCMS is one of the most advanced methods available today for unknown identification for semi-volatile and ionizable components. This method provided all the advantages of conventional LCMS including specificity and sensitivity with the added benefits of high mass accuracy and MS/MS analysis. The QTOF instrumentation at Jordi can determine the mass of a compound to four decimal places with 2ppm mass accuracy. This allows for definitive identification of the elemental composition of an unknown in many cases. In addition, MS/MS analysis can be performed to further define the structure of the unknown based upon its fragmentation pattern. Proprietary polymer additive database have been developed by Jordi to aid in unknown identification from polymer systems.
The sample is extruded through a tube of a specific length and diameter while being subjected to a fixed amount of weight at a fixed temperature. The time for extrusion is measured to calculate the melt flow index. This method is a low cost technique commonly used in quality control applications for polymer samples.
The process of method development is research focused on the discovery of a method suitable for the analysis of a given sample. A clear discussion of the goals of the analysis must be obtained to begin a project. Possible goals for the analytical method include quantitation, molecular weight calculation, impurity analysis, etc. The starting point for this type of testing is the development of a written plan detailing which methods will be tried and the rationale for these methods. You have complete control over the process through selection of the methods you deem worth trying. Jordi Labs has over 25 years experience in method development to aid in the selection of suitable methods. The final stages of method development will include analysis of test samples and demonstration of method reproducibility through triplicate analysis or analysis of control samples. Additional validation steps may be necessary depending on the goals of the analysis.
NAA is one of the most sensitive analytical techniques used for multi-element analysis available today. The NAA procedure is capable of providing both quantitative and qualitative results for individual elements, with sensitivities that can be superior to those possible by any other analytical technique. This technique can be used to analyze some 75 individual elements (including certain organic elements) at trace levels.
This technique can be used to separate mixtures of soluble organic components based on their functional group class. Samples are dissolved in a suitable solvent and separated based on their interaction with the column stationary phase. Available detection methods include fluorescence, evaporative light scattering (ELSD), ultraviolet (UV), photodiode array (PDA), conductance, mass spectroscopy (MS), and refractive index. Jordi Labs produces a complete line of normal phase columns providing us with unique expertise and access to a wide selection of column stationary phases.
The sample is placed into a high magnetic field and subjected to a radio frequency pulse. A specific nuclei is chosen for analysis such as 1H or 13C. Adsorption of radiation is dependent on the chemical environment surrounding the nuclei being analyzed. The resulting signal is useful for elucidating the chemical structure of sample molecule and signals are also quantitative in nature.
Provides digital images of the sample in transmission or reflection mode at up to 90x.
Jordi offers pH analysis to provide acidity and/or basicity measurements of solutions.
Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) is used to examine the optical differences among particles, giving information related to material structure. PLM data is based on changes in refractive index.
Sample surface and Porosity measurements are made based upon gas sorption. A static volumetric technique of operation is applied which adapts the required rate at which gas is supplied for equilibration. This method of dosing and accounting for the volume of gas uptake enables the acquisition of highly accurate, highly reproducible results in the minimum time. Nitrogen is typically applied as the adsorptive gas. Isotherms are recored from low pressures (approximately 0.00001 torr, minimum) to saturation pressure (approximately 760 torr). The pressure range is determined by the size range of the pores to be measured. Gas porosimetry measures pores from 3.5 Angstroms to about 4000 Angstroms in diameter.
Mercury intrusion porosimetry involves placing the sample in a special sample cup (penetrometer), then surrounding the sample with mercury. Mercury is a non-wetting liquid to most materials and resists entering voids, doing so only when pressure is applied. The pressure at which mercury enters a pore is inversely proportional to the size of the opening to the void. As mercury is forced to enter pores within the sample material, it is depleted from a capillary stem resevoir connected to the sample cup. The incremental volume depleted after each pressure change is determined by measuring the change in capacitance of the stem. This intrusion volume is recorded with the corresponding pressure or pore size. Mercury porosimetry is applicable to pores from 30 Angstroms up to 900 micrometers in diameter.
Preparative chromatography services for product purification. We have the experience and instrumentation needed to obtain 100 mg, 1 g or greater quantities of the finished product.
Jordi FLP has over 25 years experience doing complete materials deformulations. This service involves an initial consultation with our experienced chemists to determine the analytical methods which are applicable to the product being deformulated. A combination of analytical methods is then applied to identify and quantitate all components present in a material. This process is often challenging and is greatly aided by the experience gained by our having previously performed many deformulations.
A natural outgrowth of our product deformulation services has been the reformulation of new products, the structure of which was determined during a deformulation. A recent example of this was the formulation of a car wax product following deformulation of a competitor’s product. Samples of the reformulated material were submitted to the customer for testing and allowed fine tuning of the product formula and eventual release of the new product.
This is a non-destructive technique in which the simultaneous determination of the elemental composition from Sodium through Uranium can be determined. Samples which are appropriate for PIXE analysis include solids, liquids, thin films, and aerosol filter samples. PIXE is sensitive to the elemental composition of the sample and not the arrangement of those atoms. Samples are analyzed by bombarding them with a proton beam. The protons interact with the electrons in the atoms of the sample forming inner shell vacancies. The energy of the X-rays emitted when the vacancies are refilled is characteristic of the element from which they originate. The relative intensities of the X-rays then serve as a means to quantitate the individual elements.
The sample is placed into a heated probe and is then pyrolyzed. Pyrolysis is done using a temperature ramp and thus separation of sample components occurs based on temperature stability. The resulting materials are then analyzed by mass spectroscopy using an EI ionization source and compared to reference spectra for thousands of known compounds. Positive component identification is possible in many cases. This technique provides information on the polymer as well as additives in the polymer matrix.
The sample is dissolved in a suitable solvent and then passed through a differential pressure viscometer or a conventional Ubbelohde or Cannon-Fenske viscometer. The following parameters can be obtained – Relative Viscosity, Specific Viscosity, Inherent Viscosity, Intrinsic Viscosity, or Absolute Viscosity.
This technique can be used to separate, identify, and or quantitate components in mixtures of soluble organic components based on their hydrophobicity. Samples are dissolved in a suitable solvent and separated based on their interaction with the column’s stationary phase. Available detection methods include fluorescence, evaporative light scattering (ELSD), ultraviolet (UV), photodiode array (PDA), conductance, mass spectroscopy (MS), and refractive index. Jordi Labs produces a complete line of reverse phase columns providing us with unique expertise and access to a wide selection of column stationary phases.
Samples are fixed to the sample holder and then gold coated to form a conductive surface. The image is then formed by scanning the sample using a finely tuned electron beam and monitoring the reflected electrons from the sample surface. This allows the creation of a much higher magnification image than is possible by light microscopy. This method is useful for either transparent or non-transparent specimens which can be placed into a high vacuum. Magnifications greater than 50,000x can be obtained which far exceed the 1,000x maximum magnification possible for light microscopy
Samples are fixed to the sample holder and then gold coated to form a conductive surface. The image is then formed by scanning the sample using a finely tuned electron beam and monitoring the reflected electrons from the sample surface. This allows the creation of a much higher magnification image than is possible by light microscopy. This method is useful for either transparent or non-transparent specimens which can be placed into a high vacuum. Magnifications greater than 50,000x can be obtained which far exceed the 1,000x maximum magnification possible for light microscopy.
SPE is a technique by which to purify or concentrate samples by selectively retaining and eluting the compounds of interest from a sample matrix, while removing interferences (unwanted species). Mechanisms for SPE include anion and cation exchange, reversed and normal phase.
The polymer is first weighed and then dissolved in an appropriate solvent. The solution and viscometer are placed in a constant temperature water bath. Thermal equilibrium is obtained within the solution. The liquid is then brought above the upper graduation mark on the viscometer. The time for the solution to flow from the upper to lower graduation marks is recorded
Tests for the percent of soluble material and the percent of crosslinked polymer or gel. Measurement is provided in triplicate.
Specific gravity is defined as the ratio of the density of a given solid or liquid substance to the density of water at a specific temperature and pressure, typically at 4°C (39°F) and 1 atm (760.00 mmHg) , making it a dimensionless quantity (see below). Substances with a specific gravity greater than one are denser than water, and so (ignoring surface tension effects) will sink in it, and those with a specific gravity of less than one are less dense than water, and so will float in it. Specific gravity is a special case of, or in some usages synonymous with, relative density, with the latter term often preferred in modern scientific writing. The use of specific gravity is discouraged in technical use in scientific fields requiring high precision — actual density (in dimensions of mass per unit volume) is preferred.
Samples images are captured by placing the sample on a glass slide and observing the light reflected off the sample. This method is useful for non-transparent specimens. Magnifications ranging from 35-90x can be obtained. Images are digitally captured and can then be analyzed to determine object size.
TREF is a technique for the analysis of polyolefins (primarily polyethylene) which allows the separation of components with different branching structure. Thus high density and low density polyethylene can be resolved by this method. The experiment consists of placing the sample into a suitable solvent and loading it onto a GPC column. The temperature of the system is then lowered and the polyolefin precipitates onto the GPC packing as a function of its branching structure. The temperature is then raised in a controlled manner causing elution of the polymer as a function of its branching structure. Polymer branching is a crucial factor in determining material properties for polyolefins.
Tensile strength tests measure the force required to break specimen and the extent of elongation of the specimen at the break point. Data includes a stress-strain diagram related to the tensile modulus of the test specimen.
The sample is weighed into a platinum weigh boat. It is then heated while measuring the weight loss as a function of temperature. Residual weight following heating to 1000°C is indicative of inorganic filler. The percent carbon black can also be determined through the comparison of weight loss while using different purge gases.
The sample is placed into a suitable solvent and titrated using the appropriate titrant. The volume of titrant is used to determine the concentration of the titrated species in the solution. Samples are run in duplicate to demonstrate reproducibility of the method.
TEM is a technique in which an electron beam is transmitted through a sample in order to obtain a high resolution image of a material. This technique allows for some of the highest resolution images current obtainable. Typical resolution limits are in the low to sub nanometer range.
Sample images are obtained by placing the sample on a glass slide and observing the light transmitted through the sample. This technique is useful for the observation of particulates as small as 1µm in diameter.
UV-Vis spectroscopy can be used to determine the UV absorption or transmission by a sample. The technique may also be used for quantitative determination of solutions of conjugated organic compounds and/or solutions containing transition metal ions against calibration curves.
Taber abrasion is a test to determine a plastic’s resistance to abrasion. Resistance to abrasion is defined as the ability of a material to withstand mechanical action such as rubbing, scraping, or erosion. The haze or original weight of test specimen is measured. The test specimen is then placed on the abrasion tester. A 250, 500, or 1000-gram load is placed on top of the abrader wheel and allowed to spin for a specified number of revolutions. Different abrading wheels are specified. A haze measurement or final weight is taken. The load and wheel can be adjusted for softer and harder materials.
XRD is often used for phase identification or for percent crystallinity determination, based on x-ray diffraction peaks.