The TGA instrument measures weight change of a sample as a function of temperature.

Composition of basically any material may be determined between 50°C and around 1000°C. Typically we analyse plastic- and rubber materials, but we are also pleased to analyse fibers, textiles, varnish, adhesives, biofuels or other materials. The most common analyses are composition of a material or a product. 

 TGA is used for: 

• Analysis of composition
• Determination of residue, ash content or inorganic filler
• Thermal stability or oxidation stability 

Information from TGA analyses are for example moist content in a material (water evaporate at 100°C), presence of low molecular oils and plasticizers in polymers or inorganic fillers, i.e. residual ash. 

A small sample is placed in the instrument chamber, an oven equipped with a scale and controlled temperature and atmosphere. Oxygen, air or nitrogen is chosen as purge gas and the temperature program may be either dynamic or isothermal, depending on the analysis. 

The test samples are small, only 5-15 mg is needed and the analysis takes a couple of hours depending on the chosen temperature program. In nitrogen atmosphere a plastic sample is pyrolyzed, i.e. thermally decomposed. If the purge gas is shifted to air or oxygen organic (carbon containing) substances are incinerated. 

We use standard test methods as well as tailor-made analyses. We have long experience in designing test methods. 

TGA instruments are found at different locations within RISE and we collaborate to give you as a client the best service and delivery time. In Mölndal we have long experience and expertise on recycled plastics and material development, in Borås we have expertise in anlayses of plastic construction materials, rubber  and durability, in Göteborg plastic pipe materials are analysed, and in Stockholm/Kista the expertise on plastic materials in chemical corrosive applications are found.

A report containg information about test method, used equipment, with enclosed thermograms and explanation of the results.

Delivery time is within two weeks from sample arrival at RISE laboratory. 

ISO 11358-1, SP method 1390

DSC is mainly used for analysing plastics, polymer fibers and coatings. Determination of melt temperature (Tm), glass transition temperature (Tg), Oxidation Induction Temperature- or Time (OIT) are very common. OIT is an indirect measure of the ability of a material to resist degradation by oxidation in air. Also curing reaction may be analysed.

Most polymers have specific melt temperatures, or glass transition temperatures. Therefore DSC is often used to identify plastics and plastic mixtures. For identification of un-known samples DSC-analysis is often  combined with FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) Spectroscopy. 

Degree of crystallinity, miscibility of different polymers, curing reactions as well as heat capacity may be analysed. A very common analysis is oxidation stability of polyethylene or polypropylene. A sample is heated in air/oxygen and the time to thermal oxidaton or degradation is measured.

In DSC thermal properties in an material  are measured as a function temperature. A small test sample, typically 5-10 mg is placed in sample holder and heated at a constant rate or is held at constant tempererature. An empty crucible is placed in the instrument oven together with the test sample. Sample and reference are exposed to the same temperature program and the difference in temperature at thermal transitionis is registered. Melting of the sample needs more energy compared to the reference and causes a temperature difference, which is recorded in a thermogram. 

The instrument temperature measure samples from -50°C up to 1100 °C and the heating rate varies between 0,1 till 100°C per minute. 

DSC instruments are found at several locations at RISE and we collaborate to give our clients the best service and delivery time. In Mölndal the core comtenece is recycling and material formulation and processing  in Borås our expertise is focused on polymer constructon materials and accelerated ageing , in Göteborg plastic pipes are analysed and in Stockholm/Kista we have competence on polymers used in chemical process industry.

Test results are delivered in a technical report including thermogram, where method used is described and results are explained.  

Results are delivered within two weeks after samples have arrivet at RISE:s laboratory.  

ISO 11357

Mixers, valves and couplings intended for drinking water must, in accordance with national rules and general guidelines, meet the requirements for leachable lead content.

The analysis gives you as a customer information about whether the product meets the requirements.

Leaching takes place according to one of the NKB standards 4, 9, 12, 13 and 18. Then determination of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and if desired also nickel (Ni) with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry ICP-OES in the leachate.

Results are delivered in the form of a report.

Normal delivery time is about 3 weeks. Leaching starts on Mondays and takes 10 days to complete. Then analyzes are performed on the leachate.

If analysis of nickel is desired, three copies of the product are required.

NKB 4, NKB 9, NKB 12, NKB 13, NKB 18

Jewelry can be made from a mixture of materials and may contain harmful substances such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd).

Both lead and cadmium are substances that are unhealthy and harmful to the environment. To ensure that jewelry does not contain these harmful substances, an analysis with an X-ray instrument (XRF) can be performed.

Each part of the jewelery is analyzed and thus the jewelery may be taken apart depending on how it looks.

XRF

Results are delivered in the form of a report.

About 10 working days

The test can be destructive depending on the size and shape of the product.

RISE offers support in the identification of relevant alternatives to substitute unwanted chemicals and substances in products and processes. RISE has developed an efficient internal substitution tool to easily screen a broad database of substances and select the most promising ones to solve complex substitution challenges.

Many products and processes use today chemicals that need to be replaced due to their negative environmental impact, toxic properties or upcoming regulations. The substitution of a chemical is a complex process that need to account for the physical and chemical properties of the substance to be replaced as well as other critical parameters such as toxicology, environmental impact, cost or even colour and odour.

RISE has developed a unique internal substitution tool to easily identify potential substitutes to toxic chemicals. The tool capitalizes on the Hansen solubility parameters of substances, which provide an indication on the likeness between different substances with respect to their chemical structure and physical properties. The tool has been extended to include information on toxicity and hazard data, environmental effects, eye irritation, skin permeation, prices and odors. The combination of all these parameters in a single search allows for a facile screening of a broad range of substances.

By using the tool, highly relevant alternatives can easily be identified, which limits the number of trials to be performed and reduces the cost of the substitution process. The risk of performing regrettable substitution is greatly lowered.

The substitution tool has been proven to be very efficient for substitution of solvents but could also be used for the substitution of, for example, plasticizers.

The work always starts with discussion with the client to identify all the parameters that need to be accounted for in the search for alternatives for the specific product or process.  After identification of the most critical parameters to account for, a search is made by RISE in a broad database of substances using the substitution tool to identify promising candidates. The list is further refined according to secondary criteria and a list of potential alternatives is generated.

The client receives a list of potential alternatives to substitute the targeted toxic substance.

The delivery time depends on the complexity of the challenge to be solved.