Organic chemicals and polymers –Polymerization and organic reforming
processes are used to produce desired com-
pounds from raw materials. Conversion and
purity can be monitored by comparingmeasured density to theoretical density ofthe desired product. Blending of materials – Many powderproducts are shipped and used as blends ofprimary ingredients. The accuracy andreproducibility of the blend can be monitored
by comparing the measured densities to the
expected density based upon the targetrecipe of primary ingredients. The highdegree of accuracy and precision of theAccuPyc helps ensure that the blends produced at a given plant match the desired
recipe, the previous lots of materials, andthose from other locations, regardless of theindustry where these blends are used. Rigid cellular plastics – Closed-cell rigidplastics (foams) exhibit different propertiesbased upon the ratio of open and closed
cells. Insulation foams limit thermal con-
ductivity through pockets of trapped gases
contained within closed pores. Flotation
devices, likewise, owe buoyancy to closedair-filled pores that prohibit water entry. Plastic films – Plastic films are producedthrough extrusion of plastic beads. Film
quality is related to the amount of encapsu-lated air in the starting beads. Density can beused to determine the quantity of entrapped
air. In addition, the degree of crystallinity of the final film can be determined using
density.Brittleness of the film increaseswith crystallinity, while strength decreases. Slurries – With knowledge of the dry powder and suspending liquid densities, the quantity of liquid in a slurry mixture can be calculated by measuring the densityof the slurry. Generally it is expensiveto shipexcess liquid in slurries, and then to remove
suspending liquid before castingoperations.On the other hand, too little suspendingfluid can lead to difficulty in transporting
the slurry due to unfavorable rheological
properties of the slurry when the solids con-
industrial tent is too high. These rheological proper-ties can be monitored by measuring the den-sity of the slurry. >
Typical AccuPyc II 1340Applications
Calcination Ceramics and powder metallurgy – Many materials undergostructural rearrangement through pressure
or temperature treatment, or both.
Conversion level can be monitored through
density measurement during and at the endof processing. SPC reporting of results facilitates monitoring of product control.
Applications include different crystal structures of carbon and ceramics. –Density measurements can be used to deter-
mine closed porosity from casting, sintering,
and forging operations where parts are
made from powdered samples. If the densityof the finished part is significantly less thanthat of the constituent powder, closed pores
have formed during the part processing. Pharmaceuticals – Composition of activeand excipient ingredients can be monitoredand controlled through determination ofproduct density. Polymorphic, hydrated, and
amorphous forms of products, as well as
purity, can be determined by comparing
measured density with theoretical and historical values. Coatings – Dried film density can be usedin determination of Volatile Organic
Compound (VOC) content of clear and pig-mented coatings. VOC reporting is requiredby government regulations. In addition, total
solids content can be used to determine
minimum coverage obtainable with different
coating blends. Mixtures of dry pigments
can be monitored by comparing measured
density with theoretical density based upon
composition of the mixture. >