Posts Tagged ‘moisture scale’
Moisture Analyzer for Plastic Resins
When you select a moisture analyzer for low-moisture plastic resins you will need a model that that not only can quickly but also accurately gauge the moisture content of these resins. And as with many quality control requirements that involve moisture content, you’ll want a moisture balance that can meet standards set by trade associations and professional organizations.
In this post you’ll get a briefing on the following:
- why low moisture content is important in plastic resins
- a technical standard that applies to determining moisture in plastics
- how benchtop moisture analyzers work
- a standards-compliant moisture analyzer
for plastic resins
Why Low Moisture Content is Important
Owners of injection molding companies and operators of injection molding machines are aware that incorrect moisture content in plastic resins can result in an inferior finished product.
Product shipped from resin suppliers may have the specified moisture content but ambient conditions … Read the rest
How to Develop Moisture Analysis Methods
Many of our posts on using a moisture analyzer to check on moisture content provide examples of conducting a moisture analysis for a specific product. The importance of proper moisture content is described in our post on why moisture content matters. But how is a moisture analysis method developed?
Several analyses may be made by researchers in order to identify the parameters to apply for a specific product such as plastic pellets, sugar, body lotion and bread crumbs. Among the testing parameters to be identified are included:
• Sample size. Usually in grams, but how much should be used for the analysis?
• Sample protection. Certain products may require being placed on and/or covered by fiberglass filters.
• Drying temperature. Too hot or not hot enough may skew results.
• Drying profile. This relates to how heat is applied to the … Read the rest
A Moisture Analyzer for Shampoo Quality Control
Most everyone has their favorite shampoo and probably pays little attention to what’s inside the tube or bottle – only that it does a good job cleaning hair. Chances are the thickness of the shampoo is important as well – cheaper brands that are thin and watery usually don’t pass muster. Yet water, specifically deionized water – comprises about 70 to 80% of the shampoo formulation with the actual target specified by the manufacturer. Keeping formulations on target is eased with a moisture analyzer for shampoo quality control.
While formulations vary, the approximately 25% non-water contents of shampoo include detergents and surfactants, foam boosters, thickeners and conditioners. Preservatives and modifiers, fragrances and dyes are typically added to the batch then mixed. After the mixing period samples are sent to the quality control lab. Among other tests QC personnel can use a moisture analyzer to determine that the water content is … Read the rest
Selecting a Moisture Analyzer Drying Process
Infrared moisture analyzers such as the new Kern MLS-C now available from Tovatech use the thermogravimetric drying process to calculate the moisture content of a sample. Also called the loss of weight on drying (LOD) method, the drying process compares the weight of a sample after drying to the weight before drying. The difference is displayed the percent of moisture in the sample. This is a critical quality control step to confirm that commercial bulk drying ovens are performing to specification and that the product meets regulatory or industry standards for moisture content.
Selecting the Moisture Balance Drying Mode
Because products react differently to heat employed during the drying process, laboratory moisture balances can be programmed for different drying modes or drying profiles. These can be classified as standard, rapid, step and gentle. The mode is graphically displayed on the control panel. Here is a general description of each:
- Standard