Intertek-Polychemlab has a wide experience in the field of the characterization of plastics.
By means of a broad range of tests, the characteristic properties of plastics can be mapped. This is possible both according to standardized ISO - or ASTM-standards as well as according to specific test methods.
When needed, specific test methods can be developed on request of and in co-operation with the customer.

Information on specific powder - and granulate properties is very important both for processing polymers and for packaging and/or transport of powders and granulates.
Intertek-Polychemlab’s specialists are well experienced in executing a broad variety of powder- and granulate characterisation tests.

It is well known that the transport properties of powders and granulates are intimately related to the details of their particle size, shape and size distribution.
Powder- and granules analysis is therefore often used to characterize new developed materials, for trouble-shooting purposes and also very frequently for process and quality control.

In order to be able to measure those properties, several techniques are available, such as laser diffraction, sieve analysis (vibrating sieve, shaking sieve and Alpine air jet sieve), CCD-line-camera, dry-flow, volume- and bulk density.

Techniques and applications

• Determination of the particle size distribution of powders (0,2-2000 µm) by means of laser diffraction. Several applications are available for measuring powders both dry and in slurry and according to several calculation models.
• Sieve analysis on dry powder by means of the Alpine air jet sieve. The method is applicable on powders with a particle size of 30-850 µm.
• Determination of the particle size of dry powder (20-2800 µm) and granulates (1,7-4,8 mm) by means of a vibrating sieve method (ISO 2591, DIN53477 and several product-specific applications).
• Characterization of the morphology of granulates (differences in shape) and size distribution in (PE-) granulates by means of the PSSD (Pellet shape and size distribution) apparatus (a man-independent method using a CCD-camera).
  Measuring range 80-10.000 µm. Several product-specific applications are available.
• Determination of the amount and kind of color deviations in granulates by means of the Pellet Inspection System PS-25C (CCD-camera / man-independent). Several product-specific applications are available.
• Determination of the number of impurities and foreign particles in (PVC-) powder by means of the "glass plate method" (ISO R1265) and an automated man-independent optical method (CCD-camera).
• Determination of the amount of dust (particles < 1 mm) on granulates with a density between 900-1300 kg/m3.
  Separating by means of a water-ethanol mixture in combination with filtration. Derived from FEM 2 482.

• The determination of the “volume weight” (bulk density, apparent density) of powder in kg/m3, after the material is poured through a specified funnel into a standardized volume. (ISO-60, DIN53466 and several product-specific applications).
• Dry-flow of powders (method derived from ASTM D 1895-69).
• Determination of the bulk density and the shaking density (compactness) of granulates in kg/m3.
  Based on a standardized mass, the volume is determined after pouring through a specified funnel and after the poured volume is compacted by shaking.
  Several product-specific applications are available.

Contact and information

If you wish to receive more information on this subject from one of our experts, please contact Intertek Polychemlab by Email, or by telephone +31 46 476 27 13