Professional "moisture content" solution

Studies have shown that the moisture content in plastics is a major factor affecting their physical properties (such as weight, density, viscosity, melt index and conductivity, etc.), which in turn affects their processability and processing conditions, and ultimately affects the performance and appearance of the finished product. For example, when the moisture content in plastics is too high, it will cause deviations in the mechanical properties and appearance of the injection molded products, and in severe cases will cause damage to the mold. The reason is that during the cooling process, water vapor will condense on the surface of the mold, which will be corroded and damaged over time.

In order to control the moisture content in the plastic and make it meet the processing requirements, the usual practice is to use a dehumidifier to dry it before injection molding according to the hygroscopicity of different plastics. However, the drying quality is directly affected by the length of drying time. If the drying time is too short, the moisture in the plastic cannot be completely discharged; if the drying time is too long, the opposite effect will occur, such as causing the degradation of the plastic, loss of thermal stability or increased viscosity, thereby affecting the molding of the plastic.

How can we accurately determine the moisture content of the plastic after drying? Here, a high-precision and high-reliability moisture analyzer is very necessary.

The world-renowned German Sartorius Group has provided an ultra-precise moisture analyzer Mark 3 specifically for the plastics industry. Mark 3 overcomes the shortcomings of the traditional weight loss method for measuring moisture. It is easy to use and can accurately measure the moisture content in plastics as low as 50ppm. The readability is as high as 0.001% and the repeatability is ±0.1mg. Its test method complies with the ASTM D6980 international standard.

Moisture Analyzer Mark 3 for the Plastics Industry

Using the Loss On Drying test principle, the Mark 3 fully complies with the ASTM D6980 standard and works perfectly with Karl Fischer's chemical measurement method without the use of any toxic chemicals.

Applications of Mark 3

Generally, as a method of detecting water, Karl Fischer titration is a chemical method to measure the amount of water molecules (H2O) in a sample (2H2O + I2 + SO2 →2HI + H2SO4). The test result of the weight loss method is only a moisture content, which contains volatile and non-volatile substances, such as alcohol and oil, so its result curve is higher than that of the Karl Fischer titration method. [page] The

advantage of the weight loss method is that it is simple to operate and the operator does not need to have professional chemical knowledge, but its test results are largely affected by factors such as the temperature, time, sample weight and instrument stability set during the test. The Karl Fischer titration method requires the operator to have certain chemical knowledge. Mark 3 uses the test results of Karl Fischer as system software, and improves the test repeatability and accuracy of the instrument by optimizing the weight loss method.

Comparison of Karl Fischer coulometric titration results with gravimetric results

Mark 3 consists of two modules: heating module and control module. The heating module uses 4 sets of infrared quartz tubes to heat the sample evenly and quickly. The control module can connect 4 sets of heating modules at the same time, and improve the detection efficiency by testing 4 different samples at the same time.

The control module can connect 4 groups of heating modules at the same time, thus improving the detection efficiency

Mark 3 has a built-in automatic temperature and weighing calibration function system. Its appearance is based on ergonomic design principles. It is easy to operate and has a sturdy and beautiful shell. It can be used in the laboratory or online at the production site. It is the best choice for on-site quality control.

To ensure the traceability of the test, the test results can be displayed in charts or numbers. Users can print or store them directly or enter the test results into a computer.

As a moisture analyzer with extremely high measurement accuracy, Mark 3 has important functions, mainly including:

1. Accurately determine the drying time required for plastics. Generally, humidity in the air, as well as the packaging, storage environment and transportation conditions of the materials, will affect the moisture content of plastics and their drying time. Using Mark 3, the drying time required for plastics can be accurately determined before injection molding production, which helps to reduce unnecessary repeated tests, shorten production cycles and increase production capacity.

2. Monitor the efficiency of the dryer. Through the test data of Mark 3, the efficiency of the dryer can be monitored, thereby reducing the power consumption of the dryer and reducing its maintenance costs.

3. Reduce scrap rate. Using Mark 3 to detect the moisture content of plastics after drying ensures that the materials meet the requirements of the injection molding process. At the same time, during the injection molding process, the quality of the injection molded products is ensured by online real-time detection of the moisture content of the material.

4. Reduced mold maintenance costs. The use of Mark 3 to detect and control the moisture in the plastic effectively avoids the condensation of water vapor on the mold surface, thereby reducing the erosion of the mold by water vapor over time.

In addition to injection molding, Mark 3 is also suitable for application in many other different plastic industrial fields, such as: plastic production, masterbatch production, functional masterbatch production, engineering composite materials and chemical materials production.

Sartorius Group has the world's largest plastic database, and has successfully tested more than 6,000 different plastic materials using the internationally recognized Karl Fischer technology, thus providing customers with the strongest data and technical support. (end)