Home » Analytical Services Analytical Services Our laboratory is a global reference in the Polyolefin Characterization field because it gathers the most complete range of instruments and techniques available for microstructural characterization. Analytical Services Plastic materials are becoming more complex as new resins are designed to optimize their performance in specific applications. Some common parameters used to measure performance, such as melt index and density, only show partial information of the resin’s microstructure, and other features exist that explain polymer performance. Separating the polymer according to certain parameters like molar mass, branching, or stereoregularity to study its microstructure, will help uncover the reasons why some plastics behave differently to others. At Polymer Char, we offer the widest range of analytical services for polyolefin samples and other polymers. Over 25 years of expertise in the polyolefin field, and the most advanced instrumentation for microstructural characterization, have made our laboratory a global reference in polyolefin analysis. Below are all the techniques that we cover. If you need help to decide which one is the most appropriate for your type of sample, you can get in contact with us by filling out our form. GPC/SEC (Molar Mass) Analysis Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), also known as Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), is a liquid chromatography technique that separates molecules according to their size. Polymer Char performs GPC/SEC analyses for polyolefins by using its own high-temperature instruments, GPC-IR and GPC-QC. By GPC-IR / GPC-QC Chemical Composition Distribution Analysis The CCD technique separates the molecules based on their crystallizability. Most polyolefin products are produced incorporating comonomers to reduce crystallinity and extend the range of product performance. To define these copolymers, the chemical composition or comonomer incorporation parameter is required in addition to the molar mass distribution. by CRYSTAF by TREF by TGIC by CEF Bivariate Distribution Analysis The combination of GPC and TREF or TGIC techniques is a powerful approach to obtain a complete characterization of complex resins. The two-dimensional distribution achieved with cross-fractionation techniques reveals the interdependence between molar mass and chemical composition in polyolefins. This information is necessary in some complex samples designed through multiple reactor–catalyst processes. by CFC by SGIC 2D Preparative Fractionation Analysis Preparative fractionation of polymers is a technique that separates the polymer by its molar mass or chemical composition and provides the physical fractions. These fractions can be analyzed afterwards by other techniques such as TREF, CRYSTAF, GPC, NMR, or DSC to study the interdependence between different microstructure parameters. Different separation techniques by chemical composition are available. by CRYSTAF by TREF by Molar Mass Soluble Fraction Analysis The Soluble Fraction test measures the amorphous fraction of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene copolymers, which has a significant influence on the polymer properties. The data provided by the Soluble Fraction test is equivalent to the Xylene Solubles results obtained with the gravimetric method. by CRYSTEX QC / 42 Intrinsic Viscosity Analysis This service provides the intrinsic viscosity of any polymeric material, even of the most challenging ones such as high and ultrahigh molar mass polymers. The analysis is performed in Polymer Char’s Intrinsic Viscosity Analyzer (IVA), and the results are equivalent to those provided by traditional glass capillaries of the Ubbelohde type. by IVA Analytical Service Terms & Conditions Minimum Sample Amount Analysis Minimum Required GPC-IR >0.1 g GPC-QC >1 g CEF >1 g TGIC >1 g TREF >1 g CFC >2 g SGIC 2D >0.5 g CRYSTAF >0.5 g CRYSTEX QC >3 g CRYSTEX 42 >1 g IVA >0.5 g Fractionation by TREF >5 g * resulting amount per fraction desired Fractionation by CRYSTAF >5 g * resulting amount per fraction desired Fractionation by Molar Mass >5 g * resulting amount per fraction desired 1. Minimum Sample Amount A minimum sample amount will be required depending on the analytical service ordered. Please refer to the table above. 2. Solvents Used Samples for routine analysis or fractionation services must be soluble in one of the following solvents: TCB. oDCB. Please inform us if a different solvent must be used with your samples. 3. Order Procedure Step 1: to request a quotation, please fill in the form that you will find on our website in the “Contact” section of each analysis technique. Or you can also request a quotation by sending us an email to sales@polymerchar.com. Please state: Number of samples Type of sample Technique required Detectors / additional results needed Step 2: send us a Purchase Order to sales@polymerchar.com Other payment methods also accepted are payment by credit card, and payment in advance by bank transfer. The analysis results may not be sent until a valid method of payment is provided. Step 3: send us your samples together with the Sample Submission Form to the shipping address stated in section 4. The minimum amount needed per analysis is stated in section 1, but it is advisable to send more if possible. We recommend keeping some of the sample in case the shipment gets lost during transport, or the samples need to be traced back and reanalyzed. 4. Shipping Address Polymer Characterization S.A. Valencia Technology Park Gustave Eiffel 8, Paterna Valencia, E-46980, Spain Attn.: Analytical Services Department 5. Transport Responsibilities and Taxes The samples can be shipped to our laboratories via mail or courier. It is the customer’s responsibility to follow any safety rules concerning transportation. As the samples have no commercial value, a low value should be declared for customs purposes, and therefore no import duties should apply. The customer will be responsible for any import duties generated if a high value has been declared in the shipping documents. In the case of preparative fractionation services, the resulting fractions will be shipped to the customer via courier. The standard delivery terms will be EXW to customer facilities, and the value declared for customs purposes will be 1€ per fraction. 6. Price Policy The current prices are subject to change without notice. All standard service fees can be found on polymerchar.com, in the “Fees” section of each technique. Please note that these prices are the same for every customer worldwide and that they are non-negotiable. As an exception, and based on Polymer Char’s Price Policy, Public Universities and Non-Profit Research Institutes will be granted a 20% discount. 7. Turnaround Time For GPC, CEF, TGIC, TREF, CRYSTAF, CRYSTEX QC/42, and IVA: Less than 1 week (for more than 10 samples, please check with our lab) For CFC and SGIC 2D: Less than 1 week (for 3 samples or more, please check with our lab) For Preparative Fractionation: Please check with our lab. This time is approximate, and it depends on the service queue in the laboratory at the time of the order. Polymer Char will inform the customer if the turnaround time is expected to be longer. 8. Sample Results Format An Analytical Service Report and an Excel file containing the results will be sent via email. 9. Results Internal Storage Sample results will be kept in Polymer Char’s servers for 5 years. 10. Sample return to customer Unless otherwise requested, the leftover sample will be kept in Polymer Char for 12 months. Upon request, the samples can be returned to the customer at the customer’s expense. 11. Best Laboratory Practices, Liability and Lawsuits The results provided are based on our best corporate analytical procedures within the scope of generally accepted methods in the field of expertise, and they are all performed with proper care and a responsible approach. Polymer Char is willing to repeat the service or do the necessary work to corroborate the results. However, Polymer Char accepts no liability for the information supplied. Regarding lawsuits, Polymer Char has the responsibility to avoid any conflict of interest that may result in its participation, therefore: Polymer Char will not be responsible for the use made of the information provided. Polymer Char will not get involved in any lawsuit process related to the information provided, beyond carrying out the analytical services requested under its best practice’s methodology. 12. Demonstration Samples If you are interested in acquiring an instrument, you can send us your own samples for demo analysis. The maximum number of samples for demonstration services is 2. For CFC and Fractionation services we offer 1 sample free of charge. 13. Privacy Policy Polymer Characterization, S.A. is committed to respecting and protecting your privacy and the personal data that you provide to us. Polymer Characterization, S.A. acts in full compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR). All your personal data will be processed and kept in strict accordance with the relevant legislation. More information on our Privacy Policy. Strict privacy is also applied to the analytical results. If a Privacy Agreement is needed in order to hire our analytical services, please inform us. Request an Analytical Service Thank you for your interest. If you would like more information about any of our analytical services, please fill out the form below. * Required fields I have read and accept the terms and conditions and privacy policy Services Terms & Conditions Request a Service Polymer Characterization, S.A. Valencia Technology Park Gustave Eiffel 8, Paterna E-46980 Valencia, Spain Tel.: +34 96 131 81 20 info@polymerchar.com Follow us on LinkedIn Sign up for our newsletter Go! Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookies Policy Cookies configuration This site uses cookies to give you a better browsing experience. If you continue browsing this site we understand that you accept our use of cookies. For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy. You can configure which cookies you accept by ticking the next options: Receive cookies: Technical (necessary) Analytical Accept