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chemical analytics
At a glance: inspection methods for plastics and polymers
While complying with various standards, we determine, among other aspects, the type of polymer as well as the filler and reinforcing material, characterise thermal characteristics and quantify the material composition. We analyse the thermal decomposition behaviour and assess decomposition products released as well as volatile components and determine the exact water content in your plastic sample.
Our analyses assist you during the analysis of the material composition, the inspection of incoming goods, the verification of material defects, competitor analyses or purity testing.
Fast, reliable
measurement results
- Verification and material identification
- Characterisation of thermal properties, e.g. melting temperature or glass transition temperature
- Quantification of the material composition, e.g. polymer or filler material content
- Analysis of the thermal decomposition behaviour
- Identification and quantification of decomposition products released and volatile components
- Determination of the water content of samples using Karl Fischer titration (KFT)
Differential scanning calorimetry (dsc)
We determine DSC parameters for the characterisation of the thermal properties of your material:
- Determination of the melting temperature
- Determination of the glass transition temperature
- Determination of enthalpies (heat of fusion, heat of crystallisation, heat of transformation and heat of reaction)
- Determination of the crystallinity
- Determination of the specific heat capacity
The DSC parameters provide information about:
- Material identity and formulation components
- Modifications and additional components
- Purity/contamination
- Thermal history
- Tempering effects
- Crystallinity/degree of crystallinity
- Curing state/degree of curing
Analysis system:
- Netzsch DSC 204 F1 Phoenix
Thermogravimetric analysis (tga)
Using TGA we measure how the mass of a sample changes as a function of temperature or time
- Quantification of the material composition
- Polymer content
- Plasticiser content
- Filler material content (glass fibres, carbon black, chalk, other inorganic filler materials)
- Residual mass/ash
- Analysis of the thermal decomposition behaviour
- Determination of the decomposition temperatures (start/middle/end)
- For the exact identification and quantification of decomposition products released and volatile components, we couple TGA with FTIR spectroscopy and GC-MS.
Analysis systems:
- Netzsch TG 209 F1 Libra
Spectroscopic analyses
Using RAMAN and FTIR spectroscopy, we characterise materials straightforwardly and quickly. Both methods provide a spectrum that characterises the specific vibration of a molecule, a "molecular fingerprint" so to speak.
We can analyse the following for you:
- Identification of plastics, fibres and very small particles (from 1 µm)
- Verification of contamination
- Quantitative assessment of known substances
Analysis systems:
- Renishaw InVia Qontor RAMAN microscope with 3 lasers (457 nm, 532 nm and 785 nm)
- Bruker Lumos FTIR microscope with ATR, transmission and reflection mode
- Bruker Invenio S FTIR spectroscope with ATR, transmission and reflection mode
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (gc-ms)
Using GC-MS analysis, we analyse plastic samples for volatile organic compounds. For this purpose, we separate the mixture of substances into the individual substances chromatographically and then identify and quantify them using the mass spectrometer (MS).
We can analyse the following for you:
- Plasticisers
- Vulcanising agents
- Solvents
- Flame retardants
- Oils
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in accordance with AfPS GS 2019:01 PAK
Analysis systems:
- Agilent GC 8890 with 5977B GC/MS
Karl fischer titration (kft)
Using Karl Fischer titration, we determine the exact water content in plastic samples. The results of this method are independent of the type of sample as well as the presence of other volatile components and are available in a very short time.
Analytical methods:
- Coulometric and volumetric methods with oven technology
- Determination from 0.001% to 100%
Analysis systems:
- Metrohm Titrando 852
- Metrohm 874 Oven Sample Processor
Accredited test laboratory
for chemical analytics
Chemical and physico-chemical analytics (CHA) of plastics and elastomers to determine thermal properties and composition, identification and quantification of organic and inorganic substances, materials, residues, deposits and contaminants using FT-lR and energy dispersive (EDX) spectroscopy are accredited by Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS) in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. Furthermore, all our other specialist areas have also been accredited.
You can read more about the advantages our accreditation offers you here:
QUALITY ANALYSIS
the right partner
for chemical analytics
What can we analyse for you?
We would be pleased to advise you about the numerous possibilities and combined analytical methods. The goal: the best, most cost-effective and most efficient analysis of your material.