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All Packages | Polymer Lab Package
Enhance Polymer Design, Production, and Performance
Characterize and improve your polymer materials at every stage of manufacture
Characterize and improve your polymer materials at every stage of manufacture
Easily study phase changes and degradation
Understanding the temperatures at which polymers soften and melt is fundamental to polymer processing. As one of the first steps in extrusion, injection molding, and film blow molding processes, resin pellets are routinely heated past the melting point; in processes like thermoforming and blow molding, the resin is heated above its glass transition temperature to soften it, but without completely melting it.
These transitions can be measured using DSC while TGA measures the temperature at which significant weight loss starts to take place, known as the onset of degradation. TGA results help establish the upper-temperature limits for subsequent testing.
Differential Scanning Calorimeters (DSC) measure temperatures and heat flows associated with thermal transitions in a material. Common usage includes investigation, selection, comparison and end-use performance evaluation of materials in research, quality control and production applications. Properties measured by TA Instruments’ DSC techniques include glass transitions, “cold” crystallization, phase changes, melting, crystallization, product stability, cure / cure kinetics, and oxidative stability.
Temperature Range: -180°C to 725°C
Detectable Information: Glass transitions, melting, crystallization, phase changes, heat capacity, cure kinetics, oxidative induction time
A rotational rheometer is used to measure viscosity (eta) and viscoelasticity (G’, G” and Tan delta) properties of a material. Rheometers can handle all kinds of samples from low viscosity liquids (e.g. water or solvents), semi-solid or soft gels, to high stiffness and high modulus solids. A rotational rheometer can perform flow measurements to test the viscosity of a liquid as a function of time, temperature shear rate or shear stress. Flow tests can also be used to measure the yield stress and thixotropic properties of a structured fluids. The rheometer can also perform dynamic oscillatory measurements to measure the viscoelastic properties of a semi-solid or solid sample. Typical oscillation tests are used to verify the linear viscoelastic region; monitor thermoset curing or sample stability; quantify differences in different formulations; measure polymer melts to compare differences in their molecular weight and molecular weight distribution; measure sample modulus and elasticity change as a function of time and temperature; measure glass transition (Tg) and sub-ambient transitions of polymers or polymer blends. In addition, a rotational rheometer can also perform transient type of measurements to study creep-recovery and stress relaxation.
Temperature Range: -150°C to 600°C
Detectable Information: viscosity, yield stress, thixotropy, curing, modulus (G’, G” G*), damping factor (tan delta), glass transitions, sub-ambient transitions, stress relaxation, creep-recovery
Thermogravimetric Analyzers measures temperatures and weight changes associated transitions in a material. Common usage includes decomposition, volatilization, residue, material composition analysis, decomposition kinetics, thermal and oxidative stabilities.
Temperature Range: 30°C to 1200°C
Detectable Information: weight change temperature, weight change amount, decomposition kinetics, residue.
The DMA 3200 features patented ElectroForce linear motor technology enabling a single instrument to deliver unequalled performance and data accuracy. This unique motor technology combines powerful rare-earth magnets with a frictionless flexural suspension for the most precise force and displacement control over a wide range of frequencies and amplitudes. The DMA 3200 motor delivers a force output of up to 500 N and controlled displacements ranging from 1 micron to 13 mm. Testing can be conducted in both static and dynamic modes.
In addition, the frictionless, moving-magnet design eliminates failure points that exist in other motor designs, such as moving wires and bearing degradation. This ensures the most durable and reliable performance; proven over billions of cycles through decades of maintenance-free use in ElectroForce fatigue test instruments. It is the only motor in the industry backed by a ten-year warranty.
This efficient, quiet, and lubrication-free motor technology allows the DMA 3200 to be used virtually anywhere; from lab to production floor, or from the cleanroom to office space.
Key Features
- Patented, linear motor and high-resolution displacement sensor provides unmatched control over the widest ranges of force, displacement, and frequency, for superior data accuracy
- Ultra-durable, frictionless motor, backed by industry’s only ten-year warranty, provides maintenance- and worry-free operation
- High force of 500 N enables testing of larger samples or final parts under real-world conditions, by achieving higher loading levels in both DMA and fatigue analysis
- Forced Convection Oven (FCO) provides superior control and responsiveness over a temperature range of -150°C to 600°C for the highest degree of accuracy and flexibility in experiment thermal profiles
- Large Sample Oven (LSO), with a temperature range of -150°C to 315°C, offers spacious interior dimensions to accommodate testing of large samples or components
- Air Chiller Systems (ACS) offer unique gas flow cooling for sub-ambient testing without the use of liquid nitrogen, eliminating potential laboratory hazards while providing an incredible return on investment
- Broad range of fixtures accommodate a wide range of sample sizes and geometries adding to testing versatility
- Extremely rigid test frame and air bearings ensure the most accurate results on samples of very high stiffness
- Multi-color status lights provide clear and visible indication of instrument and test status
- WinTest® and TRIOS Software packages provide powerful and easy-to-use instrument control and data analysis for the ultimate flexibility in experimental design
The ARES-G2 is the most advanced rotational rheometer for research and material development. It remains the only commercially available rheometer with a dedicated actuator for deformation control, Torque Rebalance Transducer (TRT), and Force Rebalance Transducer (FRT) for independent shear stress and normal stress measurements. It is recognized by the rheological community as the industry standard to which all other rheometer measurements are compared for accuracy.
Key Features
- Unrivaled data accuracy
- Unmatched strain and new stress control
- Fully integrated fast data sampling
- Separate electronics
- New Smart Swap™ environmental systems
- Patented Active Temperature Control
- Advanced accessories
- TRIOS Software providing extreme testing flexibility
- Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear (LAOS) and Fourier Transform (FT) Rheology
- Analysis Software package
- NEW Orthogonal Superposition (OSP) and 2 Dimensional Small Amplitude Oscillatory
- Shear (2D-SAOS) techniques
- NEW DMA mode for measurements of solids in bending, tension and compression
Study Polymer Synthesis and Predict Performance
Directly link molecular architecture with processing and product performance properties
Polymer architecture, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution drive processing behavior and product performance. Rheology data acts as a fingerprint of polymer systems through viscoelastic characterization and melt viscosity measurements. Gain clarity on architecture to confirm polymer synthesis and predict polymer processing and product performance with the ARES-G2 rheometer for research and development or quality control purposes.
Quantify Phase Changes and Streamline Processing
Optimize processing and prevent failure
Combining DSC and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) helps you design every step of formulation and processing for success. Phase transition measurements from DSC helps design processing conditions around polymers’ limits, creating the most efficient method for desirable results. Then, TGA measurements offer degradation limits so you know how far you can push your polymer in processing and performance.
Accurately Characterize Resins and Optimize Processing
Confidently characterize polymer samples from synthesis to final product
The superior measurement sensitivity of the HR 30 and flat baseline of the Discovery DSC deliver measurement quality you can depend on. Viscoelastic measurements can be used to gain insight into the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution, while Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) can be used to examine the impact of thermal history and formulation changes on the polymer properties and crystallization behavior.
Design Polymers for Durability and Performance
Complete mechanical characterization from conventional and High Force DMA
Conventional DMA testing with the DMA 850 provides unparalleled precision and sensitivity to detect subtle changes in modulus from formulation, crosslinking, and crystallization. High Force DMA testing with the DMA 3200 allows application-relevant forces and strains on larger samples to understand the influence of geometry, processing, and strains beyond the Linear Viscoelastic Region (LVR). Combining these attributes provides a more complete insight into your polymer’s structure and properties.
Combining conventional DMA and High Force DMA helps polymer labs measure:
- Strength and durability
- Young’s modulus
- Yield strength
- Ultimate strength fatigue life
All under numerous environmental and deformation conditions. Plus, a variety of ovens and fixtures enable measurements across a wide range of sample sizes including components. These measurements ensure your material will survive the demanding conditions expected by your customers.
