Analytics

BET analysis

• Determination of specific surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution
• Isotherm determination (user-defined number of data points at any relative pressure values)
• Two measuring stations
• Adsorption gas: nitrogen

Dynamic light scattering (DLS)

• Determination of particle size (mean hydrodynamic diameter and size distribution) of suspensions and emulsions based on Brownian molecular motion
• 2 measuring devices: analysis of scattered light from three fixed scattering directions (forward, sideways and backward) in a classical DLS measuring device or by means of a fibre-optic DLS probe
• Measuring range particle size: 0.5 nm – 10 µm (depending on sample)
• Additionally determination of particle charge as well as chemical surface functionality of particles by zeta potential possible
• Additional determination of the refractive indices of dispersing media possible

Laser diffraction spectrometer

• Particle size measurement with simultaneous measurement of the particle shape due to the coupling possibility with dynamic image analysis
• Measuring range laser diffraction: < 100 nm – 2,000 µm
• Measuring range dynamic image analysis: 5 µm – 1,000 µm
• Wide selection of dispersing media possible

Dielectric analysis (DEA)

• Characterisation of cross-linking processes in thermosets, coatings, adhesives and composites
• Two input channels
• Temperature range of the oven: 20 °C – 400 °C
• Heating rate: up to 40 K/min
• Frequency range: 1 mHz – 1 MHz

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

• Measurement of transformation points: Material identification, impurities, curing processes, ...
• Temperature range: -50 °C – 700 °C
• Heating rates: 0.001 K/min – 200 K/min
• Gases: Nitrogen
• UV curing possible
   

Stability analysis by means of zeta or flow potential

• The zeta potential is a parameter for the surface functionality or surface charge of particles in a liquid.
• The evaluation can be carried out in the form of the ACTUAL state or as a function of the pH value or salt and polyelectrolyte content (titration experiments).
• Parallel to this, the particle size can be determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS)
• Determination of the zeta potential by electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) based on the electrophoretic mobility (movement of the particles in the electric field).
  • Particle size ELS: 4 nm – 100 µm
  • pH range: 2 – 10
  • Solid content: max. 70 Wt% (depending on sample)
• Determination of the streaming potential: Ions, which are sheared off the particles by displacement, collect on the porous wall of the PTFE sample container and can be picked up there by the integrated pair of electrodes.
  • Particle size ELS: 1 nm – 300 µm
  • pH range: 2 – 10
  • Solid content: max. 40 Vol% (depending on sample)

Multi-wavelength analyser

• Investigation of the stability of segregations and consolidations of suspensions and emulsions
• Determination of particle size distribution
• Possibility of simultaneous measurement of 12 samples
• Particle size range: 20 nm – 1,000 µm
• Rotation speed: 200 rpm – 4,000 rpm
• Measuring times: 1 s – 99 h
• Sample volume: 0.05 ml – 2.0 ml
• Solids concentration: 0.001 vol% – 90 vol%
• Temperature range: 4 °C – 60 °C
• Light source: Infrared (870nm) and blue (470nm) laser light

FT-IR spectrometer

• The FT-IR spectrometer is used for the identification of IR-active bonds, impurities and residues.
• By coupling with TGA (thermogravimetry) it is possible to analyse volatile substances and decomposition products.
• Qualitative analysis of powders, liquids and solids
• Accessories: ATR unit, diffuse reflection unit
• Light sources: MIR, NIR
• Spectral resolution: 0.4 cm^-1
• Wavenumber accuracy: 0.01 cm^-1 at 2,000 cm^-1
   

Rheometer

• Investigation of flow behaviour and viscoelastic properties
• Investigation of curing processes (e.g. epoxy resins)
• Measuring systems: Cylinder, plate-plate and cone-plate
• Operating modes: shear rate control, shear stress control, deformation-controlled oscillation
• Temperature range: -5 °C – 200 °C
• Torque range: 10 nNm – 200 mNm
• Normal force range: 0.001 N – 20 N
• Measuring gap accuracy: 0.1 µm
• Sample volume: depending on measuring geometry

Dielectric analysis (DEA)

• Characterisation of cross-linking processes in thermosets, paints, adhesives and composites
• Two input channels
• Temperature range of the furnace: 20 °C – 400 °C
• Heating rate: up to 40 K/min
• Frequency range: 1 mHz – 1 MHz

Optical microscope with heating table

• Characterisation of powders and surfaces
• Observation of melting and crystallisation processes
• Transmitted light / incident light
• Bright field / dark field / polarisation
• Magnifications up to 1,000x
• Heating table temperature: 20 °C – 420 °C
• Heating rates: 0.01 – 50 °C/min
   

Adhesion

• The adhesion testers automatically perform tear-off tests to assess the adhesion/cohesion of coatings to metal, wood, concrete and similar substrates.
• Test stamp size 20 mm and 50 mm
• Standards DIN EN ISO 16276-1, DIN EN ISO 4624, ASTM D4541

Coating thickness measurement

• Ultrasonic coating thickness gauge for different substrates (metal, plastic, glass etc.)
• Measuring range 13 μm – 1,000 μm
• Minimum layer thickness of a single layer: 13 μm

Tensiometer

• Measurement of the interfacial and surface tension of liquids using the plate method
• Measurement of contact angles on rectangular, round and cylindrical samples
• Contact angle measurement on powders using the Washburn method
• Determination of liquid density
• Determination of penetration and sedimentation of dispersions
• Measurement of surfactant properties; CMC determination; dosing via micro-dispenser
• Temperature range: 20 °C – 100 °C
• Measuring range: 1 mN/m – 2,000 mN/m