Corrosive Solvents
Some polymers are very difficult to dissolve and require highly corrosive solvent for a successful viscosity test.
This can be accommodated with full automation on the RPV platform. Anti-corrosive coating is available as an add-on for the RPV-3 polymer viscometer.
This allows automation of the ISO 307 test of Polyamide dissolved in sulphuric.
The instrument below is suitable for use with corrosive solvents.
Automation with Sulphuric Acid
Sulfuric acid is used to dissolve polyamide (e.g., nylon) because it is a strong, highly polar acid that can protonate the amide groups in the polymer chain, disrupting the hydrogen bonding and intermolecular forces that give polyamides their structural integrity.
Dichloroacetic acid (DCA) is used to dissolve polyethylene terephthalate (PET) because of its ability to disrupt the crystalline structure and hydrogen bonding in the polymer
What solvents do I need?
Suphuric acid is used for dissolving polyamide. Dichloroacetic Acid is used for some types of PET. Anti-corrosive coating of selected parts of the RPV-3 is required for safe operation.
What is the temperature of measurement?
25 degrees C or 30 degrees C. This is specified in the method protocol for the test.
How long does it take?
A complete measurement cycle in the RPV polymer viscometer typically takes 25-30 minutes. This includes a full cleaning and drying cycle.
Can I measure Viscosity Number without solvent?
Viscosity Number is a unit of measurement used in solvent based viscosity.