Calorimeter ensures batch-to-batch curing consistency.
Calorimeter ensures batch-to-batch curing consistency. |
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December 9, 2005 -
Featuring nominal sensitivity of 3.0 µV/BTU/ft²-hr, TFC-9000(TM) Thin Film Calorimeter quantitatively measures curability of inks, coatings, and adhesives. Pushbutton-initiated process measures exothermic heat reaction from polymerizing sample and analyzes incoming data. Test measures shelf life of stored inks and evaluates older inks to determine if they still perform to requirements. Upon test completion, stand-alone unit displays key measured test results in LCDs.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Original Press release
UV Process Supply, Inc.
1229 W. Cortland
Chicago, IL, 60614-4805
USA
TFC9000 ThinFilm Calorimeter
Is it the Inks or is it the Lamps? Know for Sure with the Thin Film Calorimeter.
You need a radiometer to ensure the performance and curing effectiveness of your UV lamps. So, how do you ensure the same of your inks, coatings and adhesives? Up until now, it was mostly guesswork. If you had curing problems and had ruled out your UV lamps as the culprit, your next target was most likely your chemistry. CON-TROL-CURE's Thin Film Calorimeter (TFC) allows you to quantitatively measure the curability of your inks, coatings and adhesives.
The TFC-9000(TM) qualifies your inks, coatings and adhesives curability and ensures that they are curing consistently, batch-to-batch. Now you can test the shelf life of stored inks and evaluate older inks to know conclusively if they still perform to your expectations. Less wasted material translates into greater savings and profits.
The TFC-9000 measures the exothermic heat reaction from a polymerizing sample through a highly sensitive sensor. It performs a rapid analysis of the incoming data to produce meaningful results. Once the green "start" button is selected, the curing and evaluation process commences:
o Temperature recording starts
o The UV LED lamp automatically turns on
o The sample is cured
o Peak temperature reaction from the cured sample is reached and displayed
o Once the temperature reaches 75% of the peak, the lamp automatically shuts off
Upon successful test completion, the TFC-9000 displays key measured test results as indicated in the LCD displays:
o Heat Flux
o Peak Value of Heat (in BTU's)
o Total Test Time
o Slope of the Curve for "Time to Peak" vs. "Heat Generated"
o Current Temperature
o Total Heat (in BTU's/Hour)
The TFC-9000 works as a stand-alone measurement system or can be connected to a computer through a serial port. The captured data can be exported and plotted to an Excel graph for quick and easy analysis.
Surprisingly, there is no analytical tool which can quantitatively characterize the photopolymerization rates of pigmented UV inks. Pigmented UV curable coatings typically have reduced photopolymerization rates because the pigments absorb and scatter incident UV radiation. As a consequence, the photoinitiator efficiency is decreased and application thickness is limited to thin-films. In addition, commercial UV curable inks consist of pigment dispersed in reactive oligomers. The resultant concentration of reactive groups is low and consequently small quantities of heat are released upon polymerization making characterization difficult.
Evaluating curing characteristics by using calorimetry is advantageous because measurements are not affected by crosslinking reactions and they offer direct measurement of the polymerization rate. A unique benefit of the TFC-9000(TM) is the ability to accurately measure a very small stimulus. This sensitivity, unavailable in much more expensive evaluation instruments, makes possible the quantitative analysis of photopolymerizable systems which evolve a small amount of heat. Direct implications of this phenomenon include characterization of films on the nano/micro size scale and thin pigmented UV curable ink formulations.
This instrument's precision and high sensitivity allow it to record exotherm reactions on films as thin as 2 micrometers. With a high heat tolerance, the TFC-9000(TM) is ideal for heated sample testing. The sensor has an upper temperature limit of 400°F (205°C.)
Note: The system is sold complete with the UV LED lamp. If a different UV source is required, various UV lamp options are available for use with the TFC-9000 system.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Dimensions: 12"W x 11.25"L x 6.25"H (30.5 cm x 28.6 cm x 15.9cm)
System Weight: 14.5 lbs (2.83 kg)
Sensor Resistance: 300 Ohms (Approx.)
Sensor Lead Wires: 10' (3.1m) Solid copper, teflon insulated
Nominal Sensitivity: 3.0 µV/Btu/Ft²-Hr
Max Rec'd Heat Flux: 30,000 Btu/Ft²Hr
Response Time: 0.6 sec
Temperature Limit: 400°F (205°C)
Thermal Capacitance:0.03 Btu per Ft²-°F
Thermal Resistance: 0.01 °F per Btu/Ft²-Hr
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