630·365·9060
info@materials-engr.com

Materials Engineering, Inc.
47W605 I.C. Trail
Virgil, IL 60151

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Failure Analysis
Processing Problems
Contamination Analysis
Polymer Analysis
Customized Testing
Design and Materials Support
Product Liability and Litigations

Polymer Analysis

Our complete polymer analysis laboratory provides rapid and accurate determination of many parameters affecting non-metallic materials.

Materials Analyzed
• Thermoplastics

Thermosets
Elastomers/Rubber
• Paints & Coatings
• Oils, Lubricants, Greases
• Films
• Oils and Lubricants

• Sealants & Adhesives
• Cleaning Chemicals

• Pharmaceuticals

• Food and Beverages

• Fibers

• Bulk Chemicals
• Fillers & Powders
• Contamination Chips and Films

Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): permits separation, detection, identification and quantitation at the part per billion (ppb) level of organic molecules with molecular weights less than 1120 Daltons using direct liquid injection or solid phase microextraction (SPME).  GC-MS can identify and quantitate residual solvents or environmental stress cracking (ESC) agents in broken parts or pipes, smells and odors, phthalates such as DBP, BBP, DEHP, DnOP, DINP, DIDP and other plasticizers, bisphenol A (BPA), antioxidants, flame retardants, nucleating agents, anti-static agents, lubricants and slip agents, colorants and residual monomers and other contaminants.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR & Micro-FTIR) Spectroscopy: identifies the organic or polymer composition and structure by analysis of chemical functional groups by transmission, reflectance, attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and micro-ATR. Analyzes solids and liquids.  The integral high resolution microscope can analyze fine particles, surface films/residues and contaminants. FTIR analysis can detect oxidation and other chemical changes.
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC):
measures the thermal transitions of polymers including onset and peak melting temperature, glass transition temperature (Tg), recrystallization temperature, crystallinity percentage, softening temperature, specific heat and degree of cure. DSC can determine the presence of contamination or mixed materials and provide insight into molding history.  Oxidative-induction time and temperature (OIT) methods can benchmark antioxidant/stabilizer performance.
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA):
measures weight change with temperature in air, oxygen or in an inert atmosphere, allowing us to deformulate plastics and rubbers by determining plasticizer or oil content, filler or reinforcement percentage, carbon black content and polymer percentage.  Other parameters such as decomposition temperature and thermal stability of materials can be determined up to 1000°C.
Melt Flow Rate / Extrusion Plastometry: measures the rate of extrusion of thermoplastics through an orifice at a prescribed temperature and load, thus determining the flow rate of a material. Often referred to as Melt Flow Rate, Melt Volume Rate or Melt Index, the rate is related to the molecular weight of a polymer, allowing us to differentiate between high and low molecular weight materials (as with polyethylene). Material degradation from poor molding practices or environmental exposure can be determined as degraded materials flow more quickly as a result of reduced molecular weight. Testing is conducted per ASTM D1238 or ISO 1133.

Services
• Verification of Material Type
• Identification of Unknown Materials
• Comparison of Good and Bad Samples
• Reverse Engineering-Analysis of Competitive Parts
• Small Molecule Identification by GC-MS

• Small Molecule Quantitation by GC-MS

• Failure Analysis and Fractography
• Determination of Material Degradation
• Molecular Weight Determination
• Surface Gloss/Reflectivity
• Analysis of Manufacturing Problems
• Raw Material Characterization
• Determination of Filler Content and Type
• Hardness and Density/Specific Gravity
• Taber Abrasion Resistance

• Compression Set

Next: Customized Testing

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