ISO-9001

FS34680

A Responsible Care*
Company 

The Quality Assurance Group provides analytical testing using classical wet chemical methodology and other techniques that conform to ASTM and The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) procedures. These procedures are used to determine the chemical and physical properties of various types of materials including resins (polyester, vinyl ester, phenolic, etc.), plastics, adhesives, and foundry binders.  In addition, the laboratory is equipped with ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy), gas chromatography (GC), and UV/Vis Spectroscopy.  The Quality Assurance Group also provides both on-site and off-site training in QA/QC methodology, and maintains Ashland's standard control methods used by our manufacturing plants and customers.

• Automated Titrimetric Analysis to Colorimetric and Potentiometric Endpoints
• Karl Fischer Water Analysis - both Coulometric and Volumetric with Oven Capability
• Gel Time Determination
• Acid Number and Hydroxyl Number
• Flash Point Testing
• Brookfield Viscosity (Thermosel and Small Sample Adapter capabilities)
• Kjeldahl Nitrogen Analysis
• Determination of VOCs / USEPA Method 24
• Percent Solids
• pH
• Color (Gardner and APHA)
• Refractive Index
• Density / Specific Gravity
• Ash / Glass / Filler Content
• UV/Vis Spectroscopy
• Refractive Index
• Trace Metals Analysis by ICP-OES
• Free Phenol and Free Furfuryl Alcohol by GC

ICP-OES is used for high-sensitivity elemental analysis.  The state-of-the-art spectrometer has the capability to measure from lithium through the periodic table (excluding the halogens) at mid-part-per-billion (ppb) levels.  Semi-quantitative scans can provide elemental composition information at several hundred ppb levels for most elements.  Samples can be analyzed in aqueous, as well as organic matrices.  The segmented array detector allows multiple elements to be analyzed simultaneously, while the dual-view torch configuration allows software controlled switching between axian or radial plasma torch viewing positions to either increase sensitivity or decrease interference effects.

• Quantitative analysis of trace metals used as catalysts, cross-linking agents, etc.
• Identification of low-level contaminants