LCS Laboratory offers testing of polymer off-gassing rate. Off-gassing is a process where polymer, or any other material, emits volatile components carried away by air. The off-gassing process can often be identified by persistent chemical smell of newly manufactured parts. Off-gassing can be caused by number of reasons. The most common mechanisms are as follows:
- Physical evaporation of volatiles trapped inside the polymer volume. For example: evaporation of residual solvents, impurities, oligomers or additives.
- Evaporation of the solvents from the external surface if the part. This process would be similar to drying of paint or varnish
- Slow chemical reaction inside the polymer volume, like ongoing poly-condensation or curing.
- Polymer surface hydrolysis, oxidation, or biodegradation due to reaction with air and it components.
LCS Laboratory offers 6, 30, and 55 hour tests. The test is performed at normal or elevated temperature. Relative humidity of the test air in contact with sample can be varied from 0% to ambient, and up to 80% RH. The sample can be tested in its commercial form or as a dust. Gases and vapours emitted from the sample can be tested as “total vapours” or individually. If the chemical composition of the emitted vapor is unknown, we can identify the individual vapours.
We offer the following procedures. Each of them describes off-gassing process from a different perspective:
- Off-gassing screening. Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC-PID).
- Open characterization of off-gassing products. Add-on procedure to TVOC-PID test.
- Off-gassing study. Monitoring of individual organic and inorganic compounds emitted by polymer.
With 20 years of experience in analytical chemistry and air testing we can help you to study emission of gases and vapours produced by your product. Please email us to discuss your project and find the best approach for your product.
