Suppliers Showcase INSTRUMENTS.

Pneumatic cylinders

Specially designed pneumatic cylinders are said to provide flexibility and decreased cost in rheometers for rubber characterization. Traditional cylinders were not satisfying rheometer requirements, possibly because the previous supplier was using outmoded products, according to the company. This custom solution has provided a proprietary product with performance levels well above that of commercially available off-the-shelf actuators. The cylinder currently supplied has a very large bore, eight inches with a six-inch stroke. It is said to generate tremendous output forces. The large cylinder will not detract from the rheometer's accuracy, according to the manufacturer. The company was able to provide a cylinder that could be incorporated into the rheometer much more easily. The exact same tolerances were maintained. (Numatics Actuator)

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Moving die rheometer

This supplier of instrumentation and data systems to the rubber and polymer industries has introduced a die system, said to represent a significant advance in moving die rheometer technology. The PermaSeal die system contains to wearing parts so it only needs re-calibration every six months. The MDR2000 is said to have been the industry standard rheometer for a decade, according to the company, using the advanced sealed die cavity for maximum performance. By eliminating the o-ring seal, the company is also said to have eliminated a leading source of measurement variation, changes in seal friction. As traditional o-rings wear, the seal friction changes, resulting in degraded measurement repeatability. With PermaSeal, measurement quality remains constant over time, resulting in improved repeatability, according to the company. One PermaSeal die and sealplate is used on each platen of the MDR. The die provides a minimal clearance with the sealplate. The bottom sealplate is manufactured from a high performance composite material, which forms a seal with the moving bottom die at normal curing temperatures. The test sample is contained between two sheets of barrier film to assure constant pressure is maintained in the cavity during the cure test. (Alpha Technologies)

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Triple detector array

The Model 300 TDA integrated triple detector array is said to set the standard for GPC/SEC (gel permeation chromatography/size exclusion chromatography) technology and is the preferred method for characterizing natural and synthetic polymers. It employs a concentration detector, viscometer and light scattering detector acting in concert, with each detector providing complementary but different information. The integrated detector TDA module consists of three detectors, including a light scattering detector, a differential refractometer detector and a four-capillary balanced bridge viscometer. (Viscotek)

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Polyolefin additive analysis

In as little as eight minutes, the company's 9000vsa nitrogen/sulfur analyzer with solids autosampler is said to analyze polyolefin samples for many additives. Because additives contain nitrogen or sulfur, measuring total nitrogen/ sulfur is said to enable an estimation of additive amounts present. Common applications include slip, antistatic additives, antioxidants and UV stabilizers. The 9000vsa analyzes solid samples with little or no sample preparation required. For routine operation, simply weigh samples into the instrument's 53 position autosampler carousel, enter sample weights and the software does the rest, according to the manufacturer. Operational parameters can be stored and recalled as needed. A built-in Turbo Sampling System is said to speed analysis, permit analysis of higher concentrations and allow larger sample sizes because samples burn quickly and completely, according to the company. Employing the company's patented chemiluminescent nitrogen and UV fluorescent sulfur detection methods, the 9000vsa configures for nitrogen only, sulfur only or simultaneous nitrogen/sulfur analyses. Analyses of bulk additive purity and regular measurement of additive compounds in resins are said to ensure product quality and control product cost. (Antek Instruments)

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