Material Characterization Services | Hawk Integrated Plastics

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.

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

Material Identification

FT-IR analysis - Bulk material identification (organic & inorganic)
NMR analysis - More in-depth identification (mainly organic)
Mass Spectroscopy (MS) - More in-depth identification (organic)
Pyrolysis/MS - Identification of all organic components
Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) - (elemental only) Detects Na+ through upper elementals
ESCA - (elemental only) Detects Carbon through upper elementals
Material Quantization or Qualification:
Relative Molecular Weights of Polymers - Refractive Index Detection (RI)
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)
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
Absolute Molecular Weights of Polymers
Light Scattering (LS)
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)
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
Polymer Solution/Mobile Phase dn/dc Determination via Light Scattering
Additional General Chromatographic Assay Methods
Reverse and normal phase liquid chromatography
Ion exchange liquid chromatography - for elemental ions
Gas Chromatography
Spark Source Mass Spectroscopic Analysis (SSMS)
Complete elemental scan of all elements
Elemental Analysis - Coulemetric (samples run in duplicate)
- Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen
- Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen
- Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Sulfur
Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission and/or Atomic Absorption
Absolute concentrations of all elementals measured
Liquid Chromatographic/Mass Spectroscopic Analysis (LC/MS)
Partitioning and quantifying trace and major organic components
Gas Chromatographic/Mass Spectroscopic Analysis (GC/MS)
Partitioning and quantifying trace and major volatile organic components
Thin Layer Chromatographic Analysis (TLC)
Partitioning and quantifying trace and major organic components via UV Illumination or chemical spray
Electrophoresis Analysis
Partitioning and quantifying trace and major volatile organic components by electrical charge
Titrimetric Assay Analysis Procedures (samples run in duplicate)
- Acid-base, oxidation-reduction, etc.
- Karl Fischer
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)
Thermal Testing (samples run in duplicate)
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
- Thermal analysis technique that measures heat flow changes in a material as function of temperature and environment DSC applications include:
  - Thermal transitions (Tm, Tg, Tb)
  - Crystallinity
  - Characterization of thermosets (percent cure, residual cure)
  - Reaction kinetics, oxidative stability
- 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
- Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA)
- Used for melting and transition data
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
- Thermal analysis technique that measures weight changes as a function of temperature and environment. Applications include:
  - Thermal stability measurements
  - Compositional analysis of co-polymers and filled polymers
  - Volatile content of any material
  - Decomposition kinetics and lifetime prediction
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) High-Res - A technique that uses dynamic heating rates to enhance resolution of closely spaced and overlapping weight loss events.
- Thermo-mechanical Analysis (TMA) - For determining coefficient of expansion
- 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:
  - Stress/strain measurements
  - Thermomechanical transitions
  - Cure characterization of thermosetting pastes and pre-pregs
  - Dynamic storage and loss moduli, compliance, Tan-delta
  - Stress-relaxation
  - Available test fixtures:
    - Single/Dual cantilever 10/20mm span
    - Single/Dual cantilever 17.5/35mm span
    - 20/50mm span 3-point bending
    - Film/fiber clamp for testing thin films and fibers
    - Compression clamps (also known as parallel plates)
- 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:
  - Characterize molecular weight, thermal stability, and melt flow behavior
  - Determine process ability of materials, e.g., shear-thinning behavior
  - Perform quality assurance/control of resin lots
- Physical Testing
  - Viscosity
    - Intrinsic - (250C) (Elevated Temperature)
    - Inherent - (25 0C) (Elevated Temperature)
    - Shear at 25 0C - (as received) (With sample prep)
  - % Volatiles (samples run in duplicate) (Gravimetric)
  - % Solids (samples run in duplicate) (Gravimetric)
  - Density Liquid (in duplicate) (Gravimetric)
  - Solid (in duplicate) (Gravimetric)
  - Refractive Index (at one temp)(in duplicate) (as received) (With solution prep)
  - Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  - Melt Flow Index (MFI)

Call or e-mail us for a quote!

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.