is able to perform virtually every type of plastics analysis. Not only that, but fast turnaround and fair prices will help you solve your problem in record time.
We will design a plan of analysis that uncovers the problem with the minimum resources so you get answers right away.
Just as importantly, we will explain to you in easy terms what the results mean and give an action plan. Or, if you are a materials expert we can just provide the raw data. The choise is yours.
Check our customer testamonials to see that we mean what we say.
Mechanicals
Full tensile testing, DMA, impact testing and more. We can even do testing of single fibers or create tests to meet your needs and to your specifications, i.e. ASTM or other standards.
Additives
Hindered phenols, hindered amines, process stabilizers, impact modifiers, flow aids, dispersants, coupling agents, friction reducers and more. You name it, we can detect and quantify it.
Fillers
Calcium carbonate, dolomite, talc, mica, wollastonite, wood fiber and glass fiber. Specialty fillers and pigments including magnetite, barium sulfate, nanoclays, nanoglass, mineral fiber, specialty iron oxides, carbon fibers, boron nitride, yttrium oxide, specialty TiO2 (titania). We can identify the type and amount of filler in the formulation.
Technical
issues
Part failure, stabilization, gloss problems, adhesion problems, dispersion issues, resolving additive interactions, environmental stress cracking, incorrect materials selection , we can help with all these.
Specific examples
We have solved problems due to impurities in recycled material, bad smell, poor mechanical properties, discoloration, plasticizer migration and premature failure due to oxidative or UV degradation.
Labs and
results
PhantomPlastics™ combines top of the line equipment operated by very experienced staff. Best of all we will explain the information to you in layman's terms, so you understand what the results mean and how to use them to fix your problem.
Tensile
testing
Materials testing to ASTM or other relevant standards. Can test on single fibers. Conditioning of samples is possible. Flexural, impact testing (Izod & Gardner), HDT and Vicat softening temperature also available.
Creep testing
Although creep is responsible for 10% of all plastics failure, it is not often measured. We can perform creep testing on dedicated machines and to industry standards.
Thermal
analysis
DSC - For cystallinity, nucleation, Tm, Tg, thermoset cure and OIT for antioxidant concentration. TGA - Measures weight loss due to loss of volatiles & degradation. Measures filler content. DMA - Shows the change in mechanical properties with temperature and glass transition temperature.
Chromatography
HPLC - For low molecular weight additive and impurities. GC - MS - Identification of unknown low molecular weight species. GPC / SEC - Polymer molecular weight and molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn). High temperature GPC - For polyolefins, nylons and other hard to analyze polymers. Ion chromatography - Detects all cations and all anions.
Spectroscopy
FTIR - Identification of unknowns such as polymers and additives. FTIR Microscopy - To spatially resolve unknown particulates, crystals and oxidation sites. ATR - Ability to analyse species in the topmost few microns of polymer articles and films. UV/VIS - Sensitive technique for checking additive concentrations and extractibles. NMR - Multinuclear NMR to identify chemical species following extraction (1H, 13C and more). Also quantification of Bay Protons in polyaromatic substances.
Rheology
MFI & MVR - Melt flow quality control and comparison at low shear rate. Cone & Plate - Analysis of polymer melts and dispersions at medium shear rate. Capillary - Analysis at high shear rates like those encountered in injection molding processes. Intrinsic viscosity - Popular for polyesters.
Miscellaneous
Density - To verify filler loading in composites or for unknown solids. Ashing - The check filler or pigment concentration. Water content - Especially important for nylons and polyesters. Metals - By ICP-AES detects all types of metal and quantifies their concentration
How to get started
Contact us today to see what techniques can be used to identify and solve your problem. Unlike some consultants who will over-analyze and overcharge, we will work to resolve your issues and rapidly as possible and at a fair price.
