TGA - Thermogravimetric Analysis

This consists of instruments for thermogravimetric analysis, that is the technique which allows, by means of a high-precision balance, determining changes in weight in relation to time and temperature, by immerging the sample in a controlled gasseous atmosphere.

It allows detecting oxidation and decomposition reactions and obtaining information regarding the composition and stability of the material.




Furthermore, the MTGA mode allows estimating the decomposition kinetics by measuring the activation energy, while the Hi-Res mode also allows separating events with very similar decomposition temperatures, as it can often be noticed in the analysis of high performance thermoplastic materials.






DSC-Differential Scanning Calorimetry

This consists of a high performance instrument that measures the temperature and the heat flux associated with the transitions that take place in a sample in a controlled atmosphere as a function of time and temperature.

This technique is widely used to determine temperatures and melting enthalpy, glass transitions and the estimation of the crystallization kinetics of polymers.


Working in modulated mode (MDSC), it is also possible to separate very similar or overlapping thermal events, measure the specific heat in almost isothermic conditions at various temperatures, the diffusivity and thermal conductivity.










FT-IR-Infra-Red Spectroscopy

ATR (Attenuated total reflectance) is a technique which allows obtaining spectrums that carry information regarding the surface of the polymeric sample through direct physical contact between the sample and a crystal through which the infrared radiation passes.








ATR analysis is therefore useful to reveal additive migrations, oxidations or degradations that usually take place in the part most exposed to solar radiation and to atmospheric agents.








EDP-XRF - X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy

This consists of an energy-dispersion spectrometer which uses polarized X-ray fluorescence to reduce scattered radiation improving the spectral resolution at low concentrations.
The primary X-rays expel electrons from an atom from its inner orbitals (core), creating electron holes that can be filled by electrons belonging to external orbits.
This process releases energy in the form of X radiation.
The energy of the latter, being related to the energy of the orbitals of the atom involved, makes the XRF technique one of the best means for the qualitative and semiquantitative determination of elements in complex matrixes.
This non destructive analysis allows, in approximately 20 minutes, verifying the conformity of raw materials and of finished products with the requirements imposed by European Regulations, in particular by Dir. 2002/95/EC (RoHS), 2002/96/EC (WEEE) and 2002/53/EC (ELV) for the analysis of heavy materials and bromine.
Moreover, it is very useful for the quality control of high-purity raw materials e.g. nanofillers for the electronics industry.

Granulometric Analyses

The diffraction spectrum obtained when a laser beam passes through a suspension of solid particles in a liquid is dependent on the dimensions of the particles and the distribution of their sizes. The dimensional characteristics of the fillers used in plastic materials have a great influence on both the properties of the final compound, and in the production process.
The ability to measure the granulometric distribution in powders is essential to Quality Control and project activities.

Microscopic Analyses

Microscopic analyses are supported by modern image scanning systems, allowing the study of the compound's morphology and the gathering of more in-depth insight into the problems related to defects in moulded parts.
One example is the study of the correlation between mechanical decay and the variation of the distribution of reinforcing agent lengths during production.