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     FUEL

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     WATER/AIR

     CORROSION

     EMULSIONS

  SEPARATION SCIENCE

     RESEARCH

 II- ANALYSIS TECH

 III-CONTRACT TESTING

     BIODIESEL 

     GLYCERIN 

      B100  FEEDSTOCK   

      FATS AND OILS

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      ODORS/AROMA 

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PHENOLIC COMPOSITE MATERIAL FAILURE INVESTIGATION TESTING; POLYMERS; PLASTICS

R. W. Heiden Associates conducts investigations of plastics and polymer compositions - mechanisms of material failure (failure analysis).    These services are somewhat of a departure from typical laboratory offerings of identification or additive quantification, which we also perform.   In this investigative mode we are contracted to conceptualize, design, and execute laboratory tests to support a project goal, such as identifying the root cause of a material failure or corrosion source.   We often work as a part of a team with other scientists and engineers to complement our own capabilities.  We are able to bring to the table laboratory resources, such as separation,  spectroscopy and microscopy tools,  that can address almost any challenge.   We also perform contaminant investigations of manufactured articles.  

Among the plastics, polymers and copolymers, for which we have developed analysis tools and investigated in detail, are compositions of phenolic resins, both novolac and resole thermosets, epoxy,  polyurethane, polyester composites,  and many of the most analytically intractable plastic materials.   We also perform analysis and investigations of:  polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyolefins (polyethylene and polypropylene), container plastics; additives where we identify and quantify -antioxidants, plasticizers, flame retardants, fire resistant materials and unintentionally added contaminants.

Phenolic plastics and their composites are widely used structural materials for a variety of applications often involving exposures to challenging conditions.    They can be formed by reactions involving different phenolic substances, and an aldehyde, most often formaldehyde, and numerous possible catalysts, then cooked  to form a hardened material with the desired properties.  These can include optimized electrical properties, exceptional strength, and resistance to high temperatures, and fluid components.  The specific steps, ingredients and thermal processing conditions, determine the properties of the plastic.   Processing conditions must be followed carefully to avoid variability in product quality.   So what happens when variability in the processing is  excessive?  When quality is compromised the result can be catastrophic. 

R. W. Heiden Associates  has investigated incidents where the phenolic plastic strength or electrical properties were compromised because of improper processing or impurities in the reaction mixture.   Phenolic products are especially challenging to analyze.   Yet, we have applied our analytical laboratory tools to pinpoint the cause of these failures.    Take advantage of our successful experiences and engage us as your laboratory partner. 

PLASTICS, POLYMER, COPOLYMER ANALYSIS OFFERINGS -SUMMARY

Material Identification

Failure Analysis (Root Cause Investigation)

Contaminants- Identification, Quantification

Interactions with Environment (e.g. hydrolysis)

Additives, Antioxidants, Stabilization

Degradation, Oxidation, Decomposition

Flammability