Analytics

Materials • Formulation • Substance Analysis

We get to the Heart of Materials

Decoding elastomers and ensuring quality

It is no longer possible to think of technical applications without elastomers. Seals and other elastomer components have important functions in technical systems and equipment. However, in comparison to more traditional materials such as steel, rubber is still a closed book for many users.

Because rubber is not just rubber. Though identical at first glance, elastomer compounds often differ significantly in their ingredients and properties. In order to keep an overview, to ensure consistent product quality, to understand emerging damage and to prevent future failure, it is worth taking a look at the material structure.

Materials Analytics

Provides new opportunities

Traditional tests, such as measuring hardness, density or compression set, are valuable for evaluating elastomers in general or comparing them with other materials. Also in case of failure, the results of essential material tests provide important information. However, these established and important test methods sometimes have their limits. For example, if the test specimens are too small or if special substances need to be detected in the materials, modern materials analysis can help.

Focused use of modern materials analytics

Advanced materials analysis can be used specifically for polymers. Especially when investigating the causes of damage of elastomer components or for a profound quality assurance, materials analytics provide valuable details. They allow to compare material formulations, to detect ingredients or to determine the smallest changes in the materials.

Our Analyses for Your Projects

Depending on your questions, we reasonably apply the methods of state-of-the-art analytics. For this purpose, we combine our many years of experience in the testing of elastomers with the knowledge of elastomer and application technology and the findings from numerous damage cases we have worked on.

Our aim is not just to provide you with scientific details, but to interpret the results for you according to your requirements. Thus, you can be sure that you get exactly the information you need for your projects.

The Benefits of Analytics

What is the point of decoding a material?

Why does it sometimes make sense to use modern analytics to examine a material in addition to the conventional methods? When do we use the more complex analytical methods and what advantage can you draw from the results of the analysis for the series production of your products? We see the strengths of analytics particularly in the areas of failure analysis, quality assurance and for technical purchasing.

Analytics in failure analysis

When used in a reasonable way, analytics complements conventional material testing
It helps to better understand occurring damages, to determine causes and to find suitable measures to avoid future damages

Analytics in quality assurance

Analytics offers the possibility to test material formulations within the scope of initial sampling
It thus provides a basis for the series monitoring of elastomer parts and makes it possible to detect deviations and foreign substances in the material mixtures

Analytics for technical purchasing

Analytics helps to understand and compare materials
It provides a basis for more flexibility in the purchase of technical elastomer parts

The Capabilities of Analytics

A deep look into the material

With the methods of modern analytics, it is possible to look deep into the material structure or to thoroughly test the dynamic-mechanical properties of elastomers. Depending on the method and the specific task, they provide information about the formulation of a material, the polymers used and other ingredients and foreign substances in a compound.

In this way, it is possile to

determine polymers and other ingredients of a formulation
obtain information on the composition of an elastomer
check and compare formulations
perform in-depth material analyses
detect contact media that have migrated into the material
analyse particles and impurities in the material
detect remaining curing agents and thus draw conclusions on the degree of cross-linking of a polymer
determine dynamic-mechanical properties qualitatively and quantitatively under changing temperatures

The Methods of Materials Analytics

The following analytical test methods are particularly suitable for detailed examination of elastomer materials, detection of ingredients and breakdown of formulations.

Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

The evaluation of a formulation by means of TGA allows the quantitative determination of the compound ingredients. TGA is a helpful method to verify the formulation of a rubber material during initial sampling and, in case of doubt, to refer to it during series monitoring.

Analytics, Material behavior

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

In dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), sometimes also called dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DTMA), the dynamic mechanical properties of elastomers are qualitatively and quantitatively determined under various conditions.

Analytics, Formulations and substances

Infrared Spectroscopy (IR Analysis)

Infrared spectroscopy, or IR spectroscopy for short, is a simple and fast method of determining the polymer and ingredients of an elastomer compound. It is used, among other things, to prove the sampling status of a formulation with regard to the substances it contains.

Analytics, Formulations and substances

Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)

Gas chromatography with coupled mass spectrometry (GC/MS) allows a deeper insight into the composition of elastomers. It provides information about the type of plastics, the composition of materials, the additives added or other substances contained.

Analytics, Formulations and substances

Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX)

In our Elastomer Institute, SEM-EDX analysis is mainly used for failure analysis and thorough material analysis. Wherever the digital microscope is at its limits, the SEM makes inhomogeneity, cracks and damages visible.

Analytics, Material behavior

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

In the elastomer sector, DSC analysis is often used to determine the glass transition temperature. In addition, it offers the possibility of detecting residual amounts of cross-linking agent in the elastomer and thus allows conclusions to be drawn about the degree of cross-linking of a material.