New method allows rapid evaluation of additives and additive degradation in formulations for better product performance
Agilent Technologies Europe has announced a method for rapid identification of antioxidant polymer additives in plastics.
The method allows rapid evaluation of additives and additive degradation in formulations for better product performance. Plastic products, an essential and ubiquitous part of modern society, are the focus of continuing intense research into new blends and polymers.
Of equal interest to researchers are polymer additives, which determine the material's colour, density, opacity, stiffness, flexibility, flame retardance, and resistance to heat, light, and air.
Such additives also can improve the processing properties of plastics during pellet creation and fabrication of the final product.
The method uses the Agilent 1100 series liquid chromatograph (LC) with ultraviolet/visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectroscopy (APCI-MS) to assess the concentration and identity of antioxidant polymer additives - as well as their degradation products - within 15 minutes or less. LC systems, which can analyse materials with diverse molecular weights and solubility, are suited to the higher molecular weight and lower volatility of many antioxidants.
Moreover, the system's MS data have the spectral resolution necessary to infer structural details, leading to accurate chemical identification.
Further information is available by requesting Agilent application note 'Screening and qualitative identification of antioxidant polymer additives by HPLC with UV/Vis and APCI-MS detection', Agilent publication number 5988-8610EN.
This note is available without charge from any Agilent sales office or its website (see below).
