Copolymer levels in polymer pellets – non-destructive determination in less than 30 seconds
Posted: 2014-9-1
Metrohm is pleased to present a new application for the determination of
copolymer levels in polyethylene (PE) and polyvinylacetate (PVA) pellets by near-
infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Without any sample preparation and in less than 30
seconds, NIRS determines the composition of the polymer blends investigated.
Application Note NIR-3 is availble free from www.metrohm.com
Thermal polymers are typically supplied in the form of chips or pellets. Some of
the very properties desired for the polymers such as strength, solvent resistance,
acids, etc. make analysis of these materials a challenge. Typical methods of
analysis require dissolution of the pellets, which can take from several hours to
more than a day depending on the material.
NIRS is uniquely suited for quantitative analysis of polymers due to the inherent
benefits of this method:
• no sample preparation required
• method is non-destructive
• results in a matter of seconds
NIRS has been successfully used to analyze other copolymers such as
ethylene/propylene, styrene/butadiene, and butylene/terephtalate. Polymer
additives such as antioxidants, stabilizers, and slip agents are also being
monitored by NIR in pelletized samples.
copolymer levels in polyethylene (PE) and polyvinylacetate (PVA) pellets by near-
infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Without any sample preparation and in less than 30
seconds, NIRS determines the composition of the polymer blends investigated.
Application Note NIR-3 is availble free from www.metrohm.com
Thermal polymers are typically supplied in the form of chips or pellets. Some of
the very properties desired for the polymers such as strength, solvent resistance,
acids, etc. make analysis of these materials a challenge. Typical methods of
analysis require dissolution of the pellets, which can take from several hours to
more than a day depending on the material.
NIRS is uniquely suited for quantitative analysis of polymers due to the inherent
benefits of this method:
• no sample preparation required
• method is non-destructive
• results in a matter of seconds
NIRS has been successfully used to analyze other copolymers such as
ethylene/propylene, styrene/butadiene, and butylene/terephtalate. Polymer
additives such as antioxidants, stabilizers, and slip agents are also being
monitored by NIR in pelletized samples.
