Polymer and Rubber Characterization Laboratory |
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Laboratory for Transportation Fuels and Polymer ProcessingLocated in the Hy-Point Industrial ParkThe Polymer and Rubber Characterization Laboratory at the Laboratory for Transportation Fuels and Polymer Processing at the Missouri University of Science and Technology is a state of the art laboratory for polymer and rubber analysis. This laboratory provides analytical support for multiple processes including polymer modification, manufacture of microporous films, polymer blends and composites, polymer clay nanocomposites, in addition to many other research endeavors in the polymer and rubber fields. Most of our analytical equipment comes from generous donations from B.F. Goodrich, Kimberly Clark, and Alpha Technologies. In addition some analytical equipment is fabricated in-house. Most of our polymer and rubber analytical equipment are listed below: Mooney Viscometers
The Polymer and Rubber Characterization Laboratory has three Alpha Technologies Mooney Viscometers which allows for rapid throughput of test samples. The Mooney Viscometers have a data aquistion system and are controlled by electric solid state heater controllers. Mooney Viscosity is defined by ASTM D1646-07 as "the shearing torque resisting rotation of a cylindrical metal disk (or rotor) embedded in rubber within a cylindrical cavity." Mooney viscosity is an important measurement for characterization and performance of rubber compounds and is commonly used in industry as a means of quality control. Dr. Lee and his research group are extremely grateful to have our Mooney Viscometers as part of a generous donation from Alpha Technologies. Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analyzer (DMTA)
Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analyzers or DMTA is versatile instrument used to measure many different properties of polymeric materials including Young's modulus, the storage modulus, relaxation properties, dynamic glass transition, etc. over a wide range of temperatures. Our DMTA is a DMTA-IV manufactured by Rheometric Scientific.
Our texture analyzer manufactured by Texture Technologies is used to measure film characteristics such as stress and strain relationships. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
High Performance Liquid Chromatography or HPLC has a myariad of uses and is not dependent upon the volatility or stabilty of a compounds as with gas chromatographs. The applications of HPLC's include molecular weight distribution analysis of polymer compounds, separation of compounds, purificaiton of compounds, etc. Our HPLC is a Hewlett Packard 1050 Series with computerized data acquisition and control.
The thermal conductivity analyzer was built by Dr. Lee's research group to measure the thermal conductivity along the length of a sample at various temperatures. Thermal conductivity is an important property to characterize in that it is the measure of a material's ability to conduct heat.
The Polymer and Rubber Characterization lab also has several high power optical microscopes and a stereoscope of various configurations for detailed images and measurements. Some of the microscopes are equiped with cameras. The microscope in the above picture was donated by Dr. C. K. Riew. Return to virtual tour. | ||
Website maintained by Jonathan Wenzel, last updated on January 6, 2009 Missouri University of Science and Technology was formerly the University of Missouri - Rolla |
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