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Gas Chromatography Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) Headspace Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (Headspace GC/MS) High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) / Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)

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Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Analysis Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) Rheology Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

Karl Fischer Halide Analysis Potentiometric

Additives Analysis Aging & Chemical Resistance Testing Comparative Analysis Compounded Polymer Analysis Contamination Analysis Custom Method Development & Testing Deformulation & Competitor Product Analysis Depth Profiling and Surface Analysis Extractables & Leachables Analysis Failure Analysis Imported Goods Testing Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Analysis Material Certification & Qualification Medical Product Testing Molecular Weight Analysis Phthalates Analysis Polymer Structure Analysis Quality Control Assurance Routine Testing Services

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A Case Study: Polymer Additives

The Case

The properties of plastic and rubber materials are altered in very important ways by the inclusion of appropriate additives packages. The additives can include fillers, antimicrobials, antioxidants, antistats, colorants and pigments, flame retardants, heat stabilizers, light stabilizers, lubricants, and plasticizers. A large amount of quality control and specification testing involves the evaluation of the additives packages in fully formulated polymer systems.

The analysis can verify that the intended additives package, including the desired initial concentration of each additive, was utilized. Analysis can also be used to monitor the fate of the additives as a function of time and environmental exposure. This case study provides general analytical information pertaining to the analysis of plastic materials, as manufactured, that contain heat stabilizers, light stabilizers, antioxidants, and plasticizers.

Full Study> PolymerAdditives.pdf (184 KB)

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The Approach