CHNS-O DETERMINATION IN RUBBER SAMPLES FOR MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION

Learn about polymers and CHNS-O elemental analysis for material characterization. Discover the EMA 502 Elemental Analyzer and the analytical procedure with the dedicated application note displaying key results on Viton samples.

Viton® is a brand name from DuPont for its synthetic rubber and fluoropolymer elastomer, resistant to extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals. It is commonly used in O-rings, gaskets, and fuel hoses.

This family of elastomers comprises copolymers, terpolymers, and other specialty polymers.

Characterizing this complex type of materials is critical to ensure that a specific polymer with the required formulation is used for a particular application.

CHNS-O ANALYSIS FOR POLYMER CHARACTERIZATION

Viton® identifies a family of elastomers comprising copolymers or terpolymers of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), hexafluoropropylene (HFP), and vinylidene fluoride (VDF or VF2), vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and hexafluoropropylene (HFP) as well as perfluoromethylvinylether (PMVE) containing specialty polymers.

To ensure that a polymer with the required formulation is used for the correct application, CHNS-O determination using combustion and pyrolysis proves effective. This analytical technique enables the characterization of the materials and identifies fluoroelastomer types by analyzing the content of Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulfur, and Oxygen in a sample of plastics.

RELIABLE DETERMINATION OF CARBON, HYDROGEN, NITROGEN, SULFUR, AND OXYGEN WITH EMA 502 ELEMENTAL ANALYZER

The CHNS analysis starts with the combustion of the sample inside the VELP combustion furnace at a temperature higher than 1000°C to obtain elemental compounds.

VELP Vcopper™, a formulation of highly active copper powder, is placed in the lower part of the reactor to help reduce NOX into N2.

The gas stream reaches the gas-chromatographic column and components are separated flowing out of the column with different retention times. The innovative LoGas™ Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD), with no requirement for a reference gas, enables the detection of all gases content.

The analysis is completed in a few minutes.

After performing CHNS analysis, it is possible to easily switch to O mode thanks to the exclusive connection panel.

When analyzing Oxygen, the sample is purged with carrier and conveyed to the reactor where pyrolysis happens. The sample is converted into its elemental compounds at a high temperature (>1000°C).

The carrier with elemental gases passes through the chemical trap where all impurities are absorbed and then the flow reaches the gas-chromatographic column and then the TCD (Thermal conductivity detector) that enables the quantification of oxygen as carbon monoxide in a few minutes.

ACCURATE AND REPRODUCIBLE RESULTS ENABLE THE COMPLETE MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION

Three different types of Viton samples were analyzed with the EMA 502 CHNS-O Elemental Analyzer.

The differences in the composition of the samples are effectively displayed by the results obtained.

All the samples differ in carbon content but contain a similar amount of oxygen. Interestingly, Viton B contains Nitrogen while Viton C contains Sulfur.

Such results give rich information about the characterization of each Viton sample as for the hardness and the process treatment that the materials underwent.

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION NOTE AND DISCOVER MORE ABOUT EMA 502 ELEMENTAL ANALYZER CHNS-O

The EMA 502 Elemental Analyzer CHNS-O is a reliable solution for the determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen aimed at the characterization of different plastic samples.

The TCD detection technology ensures extremely accurate and reproducible results, with a LOD of 0.001 mgN with Helium and an RSD of 0.2% (Sulphanilic acid).

Setting up and running the CHNS and O analysis is extremely fast thanks to the powerful EMASoft™ software, coming with a user-friendly interface that displays all the relevant information at a glance: database, instrument working conditions, and results.

The EMA 502 software can be upgraded with the optional 21 CFR Part 11 Package for Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic, and Food industry laboratories that require compliance with FDA regulation.

EMA 502 features the unique connection option to VELP Ermes Cloud Platform, the Smart Lab solution allowing you to access remote Application and Service support and monitor your instruments anywhere at any time.