Software enhancements, new DSC method highlight testing equipment news.

Software developments were by far the most numerous of new technical advances in testing and measuring equipment at the recent Pittsburgh Conference (Pittcon '93) held in Atlanta. The new software packages expand the memory and multi-tasking capabilities of existing systems, as well as provide versions of "Windows" software.

Perhaps the most significant news of the show was the appearance from two suppliers of a new DSC technique that was proclaimed by one of them to be "the most significant advance in thermal analysis in the last 10 years."

Another recurring theme was that numerous equipment producers displayed banners proclaiming their certification under the ISO 9000 international quality-management standard, looking to market this as a competitive advantage for customers.

NOVEL DSC TECHNIQUE

TA Instruments Inc. of New Castle, Del., and Seiko Instruments U.S.A. Inc. of Torrance, Calif., unveiled what appear to be basically similar approaches to a new thermal analysis technique, which TA calls "modulated DSC" or MDSC and Seiko calls "oscillating DSC" (ODSC). Both techniques overlay a simultaneous sinusoidal time-temperature wave on the normal linear DSC time-temperature ramp. This is said to permit distinguishing between reversible and irreversible events. Reversible thermal events include glass-transition temperature ([T.sub.g]). Irreversible events include moisture evolution, relaxation, decomposition, curing and crystallization. MDSC/ODSC can separate total DSC heat flow into the two components, one of which (reversible) is heating-rate dependent and the other (irreversible) is dependent only on absolute temperature.

Advantages of these techniques are said to include direct heat-capacity measurement, improved resolution of closely occurring and overlapping transitions, and increased sensitivity for subtle transitions. Examples include the ability to separate the moisture evolution from "wet" nylon 6 from the [T.sub.g], which is reportedly difficult for standard DSC. Another example is distinguishing stress relaxation from [T.sub.g] in cured epoxies. And a third is detecting [T.sub.g] in highly filled or reinforced polymers.

TA is offering a $10.000 hardware and software upgrade to MDSC for its DSC 2910 instruments. (CIRCLE 70)

Seiko offers a free software upgrade to ODSC to existing and new users of its 220C and RDC 220 DSC equipment. (CIRCLE 71)

Meanwhile, Perkin-Elmer Corp., Norwalk, Conn., is launching its new Thermal Analysis 7 Series Unix software for automated differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The new software package provides capability of testing up to 48 pellet samples, which can be accommodated in a DSC 7 Series sample carousel.

The new software is designed to operate with a Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC) 433dx LP personal computer. The complete 7 Series/Unix DSC test package is priced at about $55,000 and features the ability to run multiple test methods on a single sample. (CIRCLE 72)

Perkin-Elmer also has a new "Windows" software package, IR Data Manager, for its infrared spectroscopy equipment. The i-r line previously used only DOS software, as Windows was considered to be more memory intensive. The Windows version costs $2000. (CIRCLE 73)

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments Inc., Columbia, Md., has new "Windows" software for its TA-50 thermal analysis equipment. The software can control up to four test modules for multi-tasking capability. (CIRCLE 74)

RHEOMETERS GALORE

Haake/Fisons Instruments, Paramus, N.J., introduced its RheoStress RS100 rheometer, which features automated gap and sensor control and a standard temperature range of -50 to +662 F. An optional electric high-temperature module can boost test temperatures to 932 F.

The new unit provides a controlled shear stress and rate mode for characterizing rheologically complex polymer melts. It offers an enclosed testing chamber and sandwich-type heaters, with microprocessor control of all test functions. Typical price range for a test package of RS100, PC and software is $50,000 to $65,000. (CIRCLE 75)

Goettfert Inc., Rock Hill, S.C., showed its new microprocessor-controlled Rheograph 2003 capillary rheometer. As an upgrade of the previous 2002 model, Rheograph 2003 features full PC control using "Windows" software, which includes an extended range of test functions.

A built-in monitor provides real-time display of data points and graphics. Up to 20 different shear rates can be tested in a single barrel filling. The unit, base priced around $130,000, features a RAMM (rheometer-aided midget molder) option, designed to mold test-bar specimens on the unit for additional testing of a resin's mechanical properties. (CIRCLE 76)

The company also introduced its MPX 62.92 melt indexer. Priced starting at $25,000, the unit can determine the melt-flow index, melt-volume index, viscosity, and shear rates of thermoplastics. (CIRCLE 77)

Polymer Laboratories Inc., Amherst, Mass., has a new PL-TSR thermal scanning rheometer that features the innovation of using low-cost, disposable probes and containers for studying curing reactions. The company says disposable components can offer an advantage over cone-and-plate rheometers, where testing of thermosets and thermoplastics can result in expensive damage to the instrument.

Priced in the mid-$20,000 range for a total system (PL-TSR, computer, software and plotter), the unit has a temperature range up to 662 F. (CIRCLE 78)

Brookfield Engineering Laboratores Inc., Stoughton, Mass., unveiled the CAP 2000 cone-and-plate digital viscometer. Slated for commercial avail ability later this year, the unit (including software) is priced under $10,000 and can operate in either stand-alone or programmable mode. Specifications include a shear-rate range of 150 24,000 [sec.sup.-1] and speed range of 50-2000 rpm. (CIRCLE 79)

Nametre Co., Metuchen, N.J., introduced its new "Viscoliner" viscometer system, which controls up to four viscosity-measuring transducers from a single console. (CIRCLE 80)

CO-OR/APPEARANCE INSTRUMENTS

Hunter Associates Laboratory Inc., Reston, Va., brought out its new DP-9000 ColorQuest spectrocolorimeter, which features a sealed-membrane keypad, LCD display, built-in printer, and serial-communications computer port. Base priced around $15,500 (including sensor and processor), the unit performs reflectance readings on either pellets or substrates, as well as transmission readings of film for color and haze. The DP-9000 can be driven by a PC, and the unit's processor can be networked into an SPC data-collection system. (CIRCLE 81)

Byk-Gardner Inc., Silver Spring, Md., offers its new "Wave-Scan," hand-held device for measuring surface structure and "orange peel" of plastic substrates. The portable unit is priced at $11,500, including sensor, software and case. Wave-Scan can store test results, download data to a PC via an RS-232 port, or can be directly linked to a computer. (CIRCLE 82)

COMPOSITION ANALYSIS EQUIPMENT

The Waters Chromatography Div. of Millipore Corp., Milford, Mass., is launching software that provides additional analysis capability for its gel-permeation chromatography devices. (CIRCLE 83)

LT Industries Inc., Rockville, Md., introduced its Powerscan spectrophotometer process analyzer, which features up to seven channel multiplexing capabilities through fiber optics and probes. Powerscan can detect polymerization and cross-linking levels in solid or melt phase. The PC-based device features a diodearray sensor and no moving parts. (CIRCLE 84)

The new Process Analytics Multiplexed Process System from NIR Systems Inc., Silver Spring, Md., performs near-infrared analysis on up to four polymer process streams or batch reaction vessels using fiber-optic probes. The system incorporates different sizes of fiber-optic bundles, which carry the energy levels needed for the measurement applications. (CIRCLE 85)

For moisture analysis of pellets, Orion Research Inc., Boston, Mass., introduced its new industrially hardened Moisture Plus Model 3000 Analyzer. Priced at $21,500 for the analyzer, software and computer, the Model 3000 offers a patented new Constant Quality optical system that reportedly eliminates environmental, temperature or optical drift. Its measurement technology uses up to five different near-infrared wavelengths and provides analysis in as little as 10 sec. Model 3000 is PC-driven with software that prompts users through operation sequences. (CIRCLE 86)

Siemens Industrial Automation Inc., Madison, Wis., showed the new SRS 3000 sequential X-ray spectrometer designed for analyzing powders, melts, pellets or film. The PC-driven device can be fully automated and can incorporate a material-handling robotic arm. (CIRCLE 87)

PRECISION SCALES COMING

Mettler-Toledo Inc., Hightstown, N.J., later this year will introduce its PR Series of high-precision weighing devices, which employ "FACT," or fully automated calibrating technology. There will be 11 models in the PR Series, priced between $1500 and $3000. All models can interface with local-area networks for computers and printers via an RS-232 port. The series offers resolutions from 1 mg to 1 g, and capacities of 210 g to 8100 g for weighing of polymer and additive samples. (CIRCLE 88)