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CORE EXPERTISE

ELEVEN QUESTIONS

SERVICES

 I- INVESTIGATIVE

    FUEL

     PLASTICS 

    OILS AND FAT

    WATER/AIR

    CORROSION

     EMULSIONS

  SEPARATION SCIENCE

     RESEARCH

 II- ANALYSIS TECH

 III-CONTRACT TESTING

     BIODIESEL 

     GLYCERIN 

     B100  FEEDSTOCK

     FATS AND OILS

  IV-ENVIROSCIENCE

     WATER SYSTEMS

     ODORS/AROMA 

     PROCESSES

PROJECTS

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PLASTIC MATERIAL FAILURE FORENSIC INVESTIGATION TESTING- POLYMERS

R. W. Heiden Associates conducts investigations of plastics and polymer compositions - identification and characterization to discover 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, thermal, pyrolysis 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 novolacs and resole thermosets, epoxy,  polyurethane, polyester composites,  and many of the most analytically intractable plastic materials which are insoluble in most solvents or contain carbon black.  We also perform analysis and investigations of:  epoxies, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC),polyolefins (polyethylene and polypropylene), methacrylate, polybutylene, and various container and piping plastics; additives, where we identify and quantify -antioxidants, plasticizers, flame retardants, fire resistant materials and unintentionally added contaminants.   

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 substances

Degradation, Oxidation, Decomposition

Flammability

We use various spectroscopic tools, separation and thermal analysis tools, such as DSC, TGA, and chromatographic methods to guide us.