| Description | Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation has been the most comprehensive technique for the characterization of the Chemical Composition Distribution (CCD) in polyolefins, and Polymer Char’s TREF is the first fully automated apparatus implementing this technique.
TREF can be converted into a CRYSTAFTemperature Rising Elution Fractionation has been the most comprehensive technique for the characterization of the Chemical Composition Distribution (CCD) in polyolefins, and Polymer Char’s TREF is the first fully automated apparatus implementing this technique.
TREF can be converted into a CRYSTAF-TREF combined system capable of running both techniques by using the same hardware. Each technique can provide complementary information on the CCD in some complex resins.
Features - Full automation of the TREF techniques to measure the CCD
- 5 samples can be analyzed sequentially with no supervision required, with an analysis time of 6 hours per sample.
- Possibility of adding other detectors like Viscometer or Light Scattering.
- Easy convertible into a CRYSTAF-TREF apparatus.
- Possibility of subambient operation (down to -20ºC) for low crystallinity samples.
... Read More | Crystallization Elution Fractionation (CEF) is a new approach for measuring Chemical Composition Distribution (CCD) in polyolefins that combines the separation mechanisms of CRYSTAF and TREF. The instrument includes the capability of performing TREF and TGIC* techniques.
The instrument can analyze Crystallization Elution Fractionation (CEF) is a new approach for measuring Chemical Composition Distribution (CCD) in polyolefins that combines the separation mechanisms of CRYSTAF and TREF. The instrument includes the capability of performing TREF and TGIC* techniques.
The instrument can analyze up to 42 samples a day with disposable glass vials of 10 or 20 mL. The virtual instrumentation software controls the full process; therefore, no manpower is required. At the end of each sample analysis, the lines and the column are rinsed and the instrument can continue with the analysis of the next sample in the queue.
The concentration of the sample is measured by an Infrared detector, which also provides information about its comonomer content. More information on molar mass composition interdependence can also be obtained by adding a Viscometer detector. Optionally, the TREF column can be replaced by a TGIC* column in order to separate by adsorption and reach the composition range of elastomer resins.
Features - Fully automated CEF, TREF and TGIC* techniques (CCD measurement).
- No manpower required.
- No handling of solvents.
- Low solvent consumption.
- Automated rinsing at the end of the analysis.
- Subambient operation (down to -20°C) for low crystallinity samples.
- 42 samples can be analyzed sequentially and automatically with analysis time as short as 30 minutes per sample for high throughput analysis or as long as desired for high resolution analysis.
- Easily interchangeable Infrared Detectors; IR5 MCT for outstanding sensitivity in concentration and composition, and IR4 with carbonyls capability.
- Possibility of adding a Viscometer detector.
- Excellent reproducibility.
- Possibility of performing TGIC* by exchanging the column.
... Read More | CRYSTEX® 42 is a high-throughput and fully-automated approach for obtaining the soluble fraction in polypropylene and copolymers. It stands as a modern and easy-to-operate alternative to the traditional wet chemistry method based on xylene solubility, which is known for being time consuming and for CRYSTEX® 42 is a high-throughput and fully-automated approach for obtaining the soluble fraction in polypropylene and copolymers. It stands as a modern and easy-to-operate alternative to the traditional wet chemistry method based on xylene solubility, which is known for being time consuming and for requiring constant manual handling of solvent at high temperature.
CRYSTEX® 42 incorporates a high temperature autosampler with 42 positions to analyze samples in 20mL vials (max. sample amount of 160mg). This system eliminates the need to handle solvent manually and it operates with less flammable solvents than Xylene (TCB or oDCB), increasing the safety level in the laboratory.
CRYSTEX® 42 is based on the same TREF separation concept as its sibling instrument, CRYSTEX® QC, in which the sample is loaded into a TREF column twice. The first injection serves to measure the whole polymer and the second one remains within the column for a crystallization ramp that results in the separation of the soluble from the crystalline fraction.
Results are very precise thanks to its full automation and to its integrated infrared detector (IR4), which measures precisely the amount of sample analysed as well as providing ethylene content information. Moreover, for a truly complete analysis, the instrument measures intrinsic viscosity by means of a built-in dual capillary viscometer. All results (concentration, ethylene content, and intrinsic viscosity) are obtained for the whole sample, the soluble fraction, and the crystalline fraction.
While CRYSTEX® QC was designed to be installed in each production plant to monitor the process in real time analyzing a larger amount of sample (up to 4g), CRYSTEX® 42, with its high temperature autosampler, and has become perfect complement to be used in a central lab, where large batches of pelletized, more homogeneous samples need to be analyzed.
Features - Fully-automated analysis of the soluble fraction (amorphous fraction) in polypropylene and other polyolefins.
- Additional analysis of ethylene content and intrinsic viscosity for the soluble fraction, the crystalline fraction and whole sample.
- Fully automated process for 42 samples.
- Dissolution and full analysis of the first sample completed in 3 hours.
- Following samples results are obtained every 2 hours.
- No need for accurate weighing of sample or manual solvent handling.
- No external filtration or solvent evaporation required.
- Highly precise results.
- Compatible with other polyolefin materials such as LDPE and adaptable to other solubility tests (heptane or hexane solubles).
... Read More | CRYSTEX® QC measures the Soluble Fraction % (amorphous fraction) in polypropylene and other polyolefin resins.
This instrument is an automated alternative to the traditional wet chemistry method based on xylene solubility, known for being time consuming and requiring constant manual CRYSTEX® QC measures the Soluble Fraction % (amorphous fraction) in polypropylene and other polyolefin resins.
This instrument is an automated alternative to the traditional wet chemistry method based on xylene solubility, known for being time consuming and requiring constant manual handling of solvent at high temperature. CRYSTEX® QC is easy to operate and obtains the amorphous phase content in a short time. It eliminates the need to handle solvent manually and uses less flammable solvents than Xylene (TCB or oDCB), increasing the safety level in the laboratory.
The instrument automates the entire analysis process, including dissolution, separation of the soluble fraction from the crystalline matrix, and analysis by the online detectors.
Precise quantification is achieved by means of an infrared detector that also delivers ethylene content information. Moreover, the instrument measures intrinsic viscosity by means of a built-in dual capillary viscometer. All results (concentration, ethylene content and intrinsic viscosity) are obtained for the whole sample, the amorphous fraction, and the crystalline fraction.
Up to 4g of polymer can be analyzed, one sample at a time with CRYSTEX QC. For an equally automated analysis of multiple samples (up to 42), known to be homogenous (pelletized), can be performed using the same technology in the CRYSTEX® 42.
Features - Fully-automated analysis of the soluble (amorphous) fraction in polypropylene and other polyolefins.
- A sample can be analyzed every 2.5 hours (including dissolution and rinsing time) without manual operation.
- No need for accurate weighing of sample nor manual solvent handling.
- No external filtration nor solvent evaporation required.
- Additional measurement of ethylene content and intrinsic viscosity for the fraction, the crystalline fraction, and whole sample.
- For Process /QC laboratories in production plants.
- Compatible with other polyolefin materials such as LDPE, and adaptable to other solubility tests (heptane or hexane solubles).
... Read More | The Two-Dimensional Solvent Gradient Interaction Chromatograph (SGIC 2D) instrument is the only high temperature SGIC equipment commercially available. The system performs an analytical fractionation of the polymer according to chemical composition by selective adsorption/desorption on a HPLC columnThe Two-Dimensional Solvent Gradient Interaction Chromatograph (SGIC 2D) instrument is the only high temperature SGIC equipment commercially available. The system performs an analytical fractionation of the polymer according to chemical composition by selective adsorption/desorption on a HPLC column, followed by a second separation according to molar mass on a GPC/SEC column.
The instrument is fully automated and the whole process is controlled by the virtual instrumentation software. The detection is done by a standard infrared detector at the exit of the GPC/SEC columns, which provides a linear response and an outstanding stability, overcoming the limitations in detection found in single dimension SGIC due to the varying mobile phase composition (using TCB as second solvent).
At the end of the analysis, the two-dimensional distribution interrelating molar mass and chemical composition is obtained. This combined information is often required for comprehensive characterization of complex materials. The SGIC 2D is especially suitable for the analysis of samples of low crystallinity or complex polarity distribution, when the classic cross-fractionation technique based on crystallization (TREF-GPC) does not provide the desired separation.
The composition molar mass interdependence is measured in hours instead of days, with limited solvent consumption and no manual intervention, in an intrinsically safe set-up.
Features - Fully automated instrument to measure the chemical composition – molar mass interdependence of complex and functional Polyolefins.
- Of special interest for polar or low crystallinity Polyolefins.
- Detection performed in TCB and in isocratic mode: a linear IR detector can be used instead of a non-linear ELSD. Compatible with molar-mass
- -sensitive detectors.
- No solvents handling, fully automated process, including in-line filtration.
- Flexible definition of the number of fractions and the solvent gradient profile.
- Bivariate distribution results presented as contour or 3D surface graphs.
- Automated analysis of a sequence of samples, with flexibility to use different methods for each one.
... Read More |