Materials characterization company Malvern Instruments is focusing on tools for polymer characterization as part of its exhibit at this year's Annual Technical Conference for the polymer industry (ANTEC 2011, May 1-5, Boston MA, USA). Highlights include Malvern's Viscotek gel permeation chromatography (GPC) systems for measuring polymer architecture and the company's range of capillary rheometers for determining polymer processability. 

The Viscotek TDAmax from Malvern is a GPC system that incorporates multiple detectors. The system consists of three unique and complementary components - the Triple or Tetra Detector Array (TDA), the TDAmax integrated solvent and sample delivery module, and OmniSEC software. Its combination of refractive index (RI), viscometer, and light scattering detectors enables real-time measurement of polymerization processes, for a better understanding of structural and branching behaviours, as well as molecular weight and molecular weight distribution data. This ability to build a more complete picture of a polymer's architecture and formation processes enables polymer engineers and scientists to define optimum conditions for production and a better quality product. 

Malvern's range of capillary rheometers, available as floor-standing or benchtop models, has the capacity to simulate the high shear rate conditions in many processing operations such as injection molding, extrusion, blow molding and others. By measuring polymer processability under test conditions, polymer manufacturers can avoid the need to problem solve on the shop floor, saving a great deal of time and effort. 

Malvern Instruments has strong links in the polymer industry and is a corporate member of the Society of Plastics Engineers. The company actively wishes to share understanding about the improvements that materials characterization can bring to the production, performance, lifetime and disposal of polymer products. 

Further information on Malvern Instruments and its products can be found at: www.malvern.com