Polymer Analysis
Creating new polymers for everyday items
The development and formulation of new polymeric materials continues to be one of most important fields in material science research. From developing self-healing polymers, to improving food packaging, biomaterials and lightweight automotive components, researchers are constantly exploring novel mixtures, compounds, structures and processing methods to find stronger, cheaper and sustainable materials built from macromolecules.
An essential tool in polymer formulation is the benchtop twin-screw extruder, which can be used for experimentation and test batches, short-run production and continuous processing. Rheometry provides feedback in regards to shear, time and temperature. The torque rheometer combines rheological information with mixing and extrusion techniques.
Spectroscopy provides critical information about molecular bonds, chemical identification and defects. Raman spectroscopy is capable of probing layered materials non-destructively, while infrared microscopy identifies inclusions and material defects. X-ray fluorescence screens for trace elements, antioxidants, pigments and catalytic agents. X-ray diffraction provides important solid-state structural information such as the degree of crystallinity. From a variety of resources, learning centers, and product information, learn about the many methods we use to analyze polymers for different applications.
Additional polymer analysis tools
Identify, quantify, and deformulate your polymer constituents more easily and efficiently using our industry-leading technology. Speed your polymer analysis and get the answers you need to make critical decisions for QA/QC verification, troubleshooting, deformulation studies, reverse engineering, and product development.
Quickly identify and verify materials, mixtures and contaminants in polymer-based products. The Nicolet Summit FTIR Spectrometer offers reliable performance with an LED LightBar that immediately communicates pass/fail results in busy QA/QC labs.
Monitor product consistency, troubleshoot, or deformulate complex materials and stay compliant. The Nicolet iS20 FTIR spectrometer is built with the Thermo Scientific LightDrive Optical Engine for best-in-class spectral resolution and accuracy. A 10-year warranty brings you reliable performance for a decade
Solve your analytical challenges with unmatched simplicity. Move from one experiment to another with the push of a button, integrating diamond ATR, Raman, and NIR. The Nicolet iS50 FTIR system is deal for polymer method development, troubleshooting, deformulation, and research.
Visually and chemically analyze your samples with this powerful combination of optical microscope with an integrated FTIR. The Nicolet iN10 microscope is ideal for small particle identification or high spatial resolution polymer characterization needs.
Easily implement laboratory-based FT-NIR performance in a ready-for-plant package using the Antaris II FT-NIR Analyzer. With industry-leading method transfer performance, the Antaris II FT-NIR Analyzer provides robust and reliable data collection for at-line, online and in-line analysis.
Optimize your QC testing while remotely monitoring the process using fiber optic simultaneous multiplexing technology and integrated communication for real-time feedback with the rugged Antaris MX FT-NIR process analyzer.
Analytical services labs are often staffed with scientists and technicians who must be able to walk up to any piece of equipment and get results without technique expertise. Optimization algorithms and automated system setup make the DXR Raman microscope easy to approach and enables a non-specialist to generate excellent results.
Determine the crystalline, microcrystalline or amorphous forms of your polymers. The ARL EQUINOX 100 X-ray Diffractometer will provide all needed structural information such as the polymorphism, the degree of crystallinity and the crystallite size of the polymers in order to ensure their structure-property relationship.
Identify and quantify the elemental composition and concentrations of inorganic additives such as pigments, fillers, flame retardants and stabilizers in the polymer. The ARL QUANT'X EDXRF Spectrometer is ideally suited to analyze and quantify various elements down to sub-ppm levels to comply with the different norms.
Analyze critical trace elements in polymers with highest sensitivity and lowest limits of detection across the periodic table with the ARL PERFORM'X WDXRF Spectrometer which allows bulk analysis as well as advanced elemental mapping and spotting down to 0.5 mm. It is your perfect solution for demanding quantitative polymer analysis.
The MARS rheometer platform can be used to study the life cycle of a polymer—from its development in the R&D lab to the pilot plant and small scale production. Small sample volumes can be mixed with the HAAKE MiniLab Compounder, and for further rheological testing, test specimens can be produced with the HAAKE MiniJetPro Injection Molding System.
With the HAAKE MARS Rheometers, the viscoelastic properties of polymer melts and solutions as well as of solid specimens can be tested in shear, oscillation, and elongation mode as a function of stress or strain, frequency, time, or temperature. Rheometry is a macroscopic measuring method that provides information on the behavior of a sample under specified conditions. The mechanical properties of a material depend on its structure at the microscopic level. In order to determine the reasons for the rheological properties, rheological measurements can be combined with tests on the microscopic level, using FTIR or microscopy, for example.
Bring the flexibility of the HAAKE MARS platform to your lab and see how quickly you can respond to changing testing requirements of today's new materials.
This flexible measuring mixer and extruder system provides comprehensive material characterization during the development of innovative polymer products. The modular torque rheometer can be connected to an interchangeable mixer, single-screw extruder, or conical and parallel twin-screw extruder. Combining proven technology, state-of-the-art hardware and software with an easy-to-use interface, the PolyLab OS is ideal for QC and R&D needs.
Our suite of conical micro twin-screw compounders are well-suited for R&D of polymers. All models use as little as five grams or seven milliliters of material for compounding—ideal if you compound expensive materials or work on a small-scale. Couple the micro-compounder with our mini-injection molder, HAAKE MiniJet PRO, as an extended workflow solution. Easily produce various test specimens from the compounded material in the HAAKE MiniJet, for further testing on our HAAKE MARS rheometers.
Designed to provide you with precisely controlled reactive extrusion of high viscous melts using only a sample amount of sample of 5 grams or 7 cm3, the HAAKE MiniLab 3 Micro Compounder is ideal for compounding expensive or small scale materials like bio-polymers. Simultaneously, the rheological properties can be recorded to document structural changes.
When compounding expensive or small-scale materials such as engineered polymers, the HAAKE MiniCTW micro-conical twin-screw compounder offers a fast, dependable, cost-efficient method to obtain tangible results. Quick and early assessment of a new material is key. Ideal for industrial R&D, the HAAKE MiniCTW allows researchers to extrude as little as 5 grams of material, helping to accelerate product development.
Eliminate worries of limited material quantities and produce various sample geometries using the HAAKE MiniJet Pro Piston Injection Molding System. Reduce costs by efficiently preparing specimens from as little as 2 to 5mL of material.
Wherever you are in the product cycle—research, development, production, quality control—our wide range of versatile twin-screw extruders offer customizable options for mixing, compounding, and processing viscous polymer materials. With adaptability in mind, we created our parallel, co-rotating twin-screw extruders with flexibility and modularity, so you can modify the extruder to meet your needs now and in the future. For easy accessibility, a horizontally split, hinged barrel lets you take a closer look at the material during the extrusion procedure. To optimize the process or change the application, you can quickly convert the screw and barrels—reducing both time and expense.
Choose the extruder for the amount of material you need: 11mm, 16 mm, or 24 mm. Designed for easy scale up, the extruder allows you to develop a new process on an 11 mm extruder and easily transfer it to a 24mm machine if more material is needed.
Extruder Save money and time developing polymer formulations. With only a small amount of material needed to conduct experiments, this parallel co-rotating extruder allows you to conduct numerous trials efficiently and cost effectively.
Prepare many different, small samples in a short time with minimum product waste. This extendable, modular benchtop twin-screw extruder is ideal for research, development, quality control, and small-scale production.
This floor-mounted twin-screw extruder can be configured for a wide variety of applications, and its flexible barrel and screw design make it a perfect tool for your small-scale manufacturing and test samples compounding.
Polymer analysis resources
| Technique | Asset Type | Asset Title |
|---|---|---|
| XRF | Application Note | Analysis of Polymer for Environmental Regulations |
| XRF | Application Note | Analysis of Traces in Polymers |
| XRD | Application Note | Determination of the Crystallinity in Polymer Samples Using ARL EQUINOX 100 Benchtop X-ray Diffractometer |
| XRD | Application Note | Phase Determination of Polymer Samples with ARL EQUINOX 100 Benchtop X-ray Diffractometer |
| XRD | Application Note | Polymorphism and Crystallite Size in β-Polypropylene Determined with ARL EQUINOX 100 X-ray Diffractometer |
| XRD | Application Note | Small Angle Diffraction Capabilities of the ARL EQUINOX 100 X-ray Diffractometer Using Ag-behenate |
| Technique | Asset Type | Asset Title |
|---|---|---|
| XRF | Application Note | Analysis of Polymer for Environmental Regulations |
| XRF | Application Note | Analysis of Traces in Polymers |
| XRD | Application Note | Determination of the Crystallinity in Polymer Samples Using ARL EQUINOX 100 Benchtop X-ray Diffractometer |
| XRD | Application Note | Phase Determination of Polymer Samples with ARL EQUINOX 100 Benchtop X-ray Diffractometer |
| XRD | Application Note | Polymorphism and Crystallite Size in β-Polypropylene Determined with ARL EQUINOX 100 X-ray Diffractometer |
| XRD | Application Note | Small Angle Diffraction Capabilities of the ARL EQUINOX 100 X-ray Diffractometer Using Ag-behenate |
