Modularising thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and its applications to a wet process masterbatch plant


Citation

Sum N. C., . Modularising thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and its applications to a wet process masterbatch plant. pp. 215-226. ISSN 1511-1768

Abstract

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is indispensable in analysing the composition of rubber compounds. In the TGA test a rubber compound is fractionated into four fractions comprising liquid or low melting point solid polymers carbon black and mineral fillers. Small sample weight can result in large errors for rubber compounds that are not fully dispersed. Test equipment is expensive and therefore it is not a suitable choice for large numbers of production samples. Density measurement of rubber compound is a viable alternative for a quick test. Both these tests were initially applied to a production line of wet process masterbatch plant and shortcomings of these two methods were enumerated. An alternative testing scheme involving thermogravimetric and solvent extraction has been devised and tested successfully. Samples of the same compound with different weights were tested via Soxhlet solvent extraction nitrogen pyrolysis and oxygen pyrolysis. The results were combined mathematically and basic equations were derived. Test variability was low and comparable to conventional TGA using microbalance. Results were correlated with elatest density measurements although the 1:1 unity line correlation was not possible. Assumptions were made on the full incorporation of low melting point solids as well as densities of various components and these could explain the discrepancies observed. Modularisation of TGA test allows for improvements in the component test method. A large number of tests were carried out in a continuous production line turning out carbon black masterbatches.


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Abstract

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is indispensable in analysing the composition of rubber compounds. In the TGA test a rubber compound is fractionated into four fractions comprising liquid or low melting point solid polymers carbon black and mineral fillers. Small sample weight can result in large errors for rubber compounds that are not fully dispersed. Test equipment is expensive and therefore it is not a suitable choice for large numbers of production samples. Density measurement of rubber compound is a viable alternative for a quick test. Both these tests were initially applied to a production line of wet process masterbatch plant and shortcomings of these two methods were enumerated. An alternative testing scheme involving thermogravimetric and solvent extraction has been devised and tested successfully. Samples of the same compound with different weights were tested via Soxhlet solvent extraction nitrogen pyrolysis and oxygen pyrolysis. The results were combined mathematically and basic equations were derived. Test variability was low and comparable to conventional TGA using microbalance. Results were correlated with elatest density measurements although the 1:1 unity line correlation was not possible. Assumptions were made on the full incorporation of low melting point solids as well as densities of various components and these could explain the discrepancies observed. Modularisation of TGA test allows for improvements in the component test method. A large number of tests were carried out in a continuous production line turning out carbon black masterbatches.

Additional Metadata

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Item Type: Article
AGROVOC Term: Thermogravimetric analysis
AGROVOC Term: Rubber
AGROVOC Term: Hevea brasiliensis
AGROVOC Term: Fractionation
AGROVOC Term: Melting point
AGROVOC Term: Polymers
AGROVOC Term: Carbon black
AGROVOC Term: Density
AGROVOC Term: Pyrolysis
AGROVOC Term: Synthetic rubber
Geographical Term: Malaysia
Depositing User: Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified: 28 Apr 2025 02:30
URI: http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/22983

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