In search of process improvement, a coating manufacturer recently approached Galbraith Laboratories to evaluate the carbon black content in lots of material received from different suppliers.

Galbraith Laboratories, one of the largest independent analytical testing laboratories in the world, tested the lots using thermogravimetric analysis coupled with differential thermal analysis. TGA/DTA determines carbon black in a single analysis using a small sample size. The analysis revealed that the carbon black content differed between the sample lots by 4%. With this insight, the manufacturer could reliably determine the proper raw material for optimizing its manufacturing process, saving time and improving product quality.

Galbraith Laboratories offers extensive thermal analysis capabilities for evaluating the composition of materials. Technologies employed include thermogravimetric analysis coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, or TGA-GC-MS. This powerful real-time analytical technique separates and identifies gases from thermal events, providing Galbraith chemists with a highly specific analysis for a wide range of samples.

Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with differential thermal analysis, or TGA/DTA, is effective for measuring degradation rates, moisture and volatile organic compound content, thermal stability and other characteristics of polymeric materials. Since they are familiar with all the well known methods, including USP <891> and ASTM D6375 (Noack), the chemists at Galbraith Laboratories can recommend the best analytical method to follow, and, if necessary, develop a custom method.

“Gaining a true understanding of the chemical composition of the materials used in manufacturing is vitally important to businesses,” says Jason Williams, the Business Development Manager at Galbraith Laboratories. “Thermal analysis is one of the technologies we use to provide reliable answers to our customers,” he added. Long known for its expertise and facilities for chromatography, spectroscopy, wet chemistry, physical testing and microanalysis, Galbraith Laboratories has achieved an international reputation for expertise in contract chemical and elemental analysis.

Galbraith Laboratories has received ISO 17025 accreditation by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA).  Its laboratory facilities comply with FDA GLP and cGMP quality standards and many laboratory procedures are performed in observance of U.S. Pharmacopeial and International quality compendia. 

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