Material Characterization Services

 

 

 

 

 

The Material Characterization Laboratory provides a unique capability of our company that serves two main functions.  It supports the test capabilities necessary for addressing internal QA/QC issues and process R & D functions for our company.  The laboratory also prides itself in serving as an independent testing facility for external customers who have testing needs that are not readily available to them.  Our staff provides many years of experience in problem solving and added support to our valued customers.

 

We offer state-of-the-art equipment for your analysis needs.  Our analysis capabilities and potential applications are as follows:

 

 

Material Identification:

 

1.        FT-IR analysis

Bulk material identification (organic & inorganic)

 

2.        NMR analysis

More in-depth identification (mainly organic)

 

3.        Mass Spectroscopy (MS)

More in-depth identification (organic)

 

4.        Pyrolysis/MS

Identification of all organic components

 

 5.   Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) - (elemental only)

Detects Na+ through upper elementals

 

 6.   ESCA - (elemental only)

Detects Carbon through upper elementals

 

 

Material Quantitation or Qualification:

 

 7.  Relative Molecular Weights of Polymers - Refractive Index Detection (RI)

 

      A.  Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC - Non-aqueous )

            Molecular determinations for Mn, Mw, Mz and Polydispersity using RI detection and a typical organic mobile phase (THF, CHCl3, DMF and Toluene)

 

      B.  Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC - Aqueous)

            Molecular weight determinations for Mn, Mw, Mz and Polydispersity using Refractive Index detection and water or a typical buffer as the mobile phase

 

 8.  Absolute Molecular Weights of Polymers - Light Scattering (LS)

 

      A.  Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC - Non-aqueous)

Molecular determinations for Mn, Mw, Mz and Polydispersity using LS and RI detection and a typical organic mobile phase (THF or CHCl3)

 

  1. Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC - Aqueous)

Molecular determinations for Mn, Mw, Mz and Polydispersity using LS and RI detection and water or a typical buffer as the mobile phase

 

9.     Polymer Solution/Mobile Phase dn/dc Determination via Light Scattering

 

10.  Additional General Chromatographic Assay Methods

 

       A.  Reverse and normal phase liquid chromatography

 

       B.  Ion exchange liquid chromatography  -  for elemental ions

 

       C.  Gas Chromatography

 

11.  Spark Source Mass Spectroscopic Analysis (SSMS)

       Complete elemental scan of all elements

 

12.  Elemental Analysis - Coulemetric (samples run in duplicate)

 

       A.  Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen

 

       B.  Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen

 

       C.  Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Sulfur

 

13.  Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission and/or Atomic Absorption

       Absolute concentrations of all elementals measured

 

14.  Liquid Chromatographic/Mass Spectroscopic Analysis (LC/MS)

       Partitioning and quantifying trace and major organic components

 

15.  Gas Chromatographic/Mass Spectroscopic Analysis (GC/MS)

       Partitioning and quantifying trace and major volatile organic components

 

16.  Thin Layer Chromatographic Analysis (TLC)

        Partitioning and quantifying trace and major organic components via UV Illumination or chemical spray

 

17.  Electrophoresis Analysis

       Partitioning and quantifying trace and major volatile organic components by electrical charge

 

18.  Titrimetric Assay Analysis Procedures (samples run in duplicate)

 

       A.  Acid-base, oxidation-reduction, etc.

 

       B.  Karl Fischer

 

19.  Ultra-violet/Visible/Near IR (UV/Vis/NIR) Spectroscopic Testing

Concentration and/or purity measurements of major and/or minor organic components as well a film transmittance, and some component characterization   (Range from 190-1,000 nm)

 

20.  Thermal Testing (samples run in duplicate)

 

       A1. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

            A TA thermal analysis technique that measures heat flow changes in a material as function of temperature and environment DSC applications include:

           

            Ÿ          Thermal transitions (Tm, Tg, Tb)

            Ÿ          % Crystallinity

            Ÿ          Characterization of thermosets (percent cure, residual cure)

            Ÿ          Reaction kinetics, oxidative stability

 

       A2. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Modulated

A TA Instruments exclusive technique that applies sinusoidal heating rates to allow resolution of reversing and non-reversing transitions.  Modulated DSC can also be used to determine thermal conductivity

 

       B.  Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA)

             Used for melting and transition data

 

       C1. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

             A thermal analysis technique that measures weight changes as a function of temperature and environment. TGA applications include:

 

             Ÿ         Thermal stability measurements

             Ÿ         Compositional analysis of co-polymers and filled polymers

             Ÿ         Volatile content of any material

             Ÿ         Decomposition kinetics and lifetime prediction

 

       C2. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) High-Res

             A technique that uses dynamic heating rates to enhance resolution of closely spaced and overlapping weight loss events.

 

 

       D.  Thermo-mechanical Analysis (TMA)

             For determining coefficient of expansion

 

       E.  Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

A highly sophisticated and versatile thermo-mechanical technique that measures mechanical behavior of materials as a function of temperature, time (frequency), stress, and strain.  The DMA can operate in oscillatory mode to measure dynamic properties such as E', E" and Tan-delta (E"/E').  The DMA can also operate in non-oscillatory mode to measure static mechanical properties such as creep and stress-relaxation.

 

            Applications for DMA are numerous and include:

            Ÿ          Stress/strain measurements

            Ÿ          Thermomechanical transitions

            Ÿ          Cure characterization of thermosetting pastes and pre-pregs

            Ÿ          Dynamic storage and loss moduli, compliance, Tan-delta

            Ÿ          Stress-relaxation

 

            Available test fixtures:

            Ÿ          Single/Dual cantilever 10/20mm span

            Ÿ          Single/Dual cantilever 17.5/35mm span

            Ÿ          20/50mm span 3-point bending

            Ÿ          Film/fiber clamp for testing thin films and fibers

            Ÿ          Compression clamps (also known as parallel plates)

 

       F.  Capillary Rheology

A test technique that measures viscosity of polymer melts and most fluids as a function of shear rate and temperature.  Capillary Rheology can be used to:

            Ÿ          Characterize molecular weight, thermal stability, and melt flow behavior

            Ÿ          Determine process ability of materials, e.g., shear-thinning behavior

                Ÿ          Perform quality assurance/control of resin lots

 

21.  Physical Testing

 

       A.  Viscosity

            1. Intrinsic -                                          (250C)

                                                            (Elevated Temperature)

 

            2. Inherent -                                         (25 0C)

                                                            (Elevated Temperature)

 

            3. Shear at 25 0C -                          (as received)

                                                              (With sample prep)

 

       B.  % Volatiles                (samples run in duplicate) (Gravimetric)

 

       C.  % Solids                    (samples run in duplicate) (Gravimetric)

 

       D.  Density                          Liquid (in duplicate) (Gravimetric)

                                                    Solid (in duplicate) (Gravimetric)

 

       E.  Refractive Index (at one temp)(in duplicate)         (as received)

                                                                                           (With solution prep)

 

       F.  Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

 

      G.  Melt Flow Index (MFI)

 

 

Call or e-mail us for a quote!

Please use the following form to submit a request for thermal analysis services (Right click and save):

 TC Request Form

 

Complete Deformulation and Patent Infringement Work:

 

Pricing based on individual clients problems and the work required to answer all your questions satisfactorily.

 

Material Consulting Services: (4 Hours Minimum)

 

On site:         $150 per hour                      Off site:         $250 per hour

 

For testing not mentioned in this summary please call us for pricing and availability.

 

Normal analysis turnaround time for most tests is about two weeks.

 

Our payment terms are net 30.  After due date a 12% monthly interest charge is added.

 

Priority Testing Available at a 50% Surcharge.