This practical laboratory manual describes the methods used to identify additives in polymer and rubber formulations. The first two chapters address spectroscopy and extraction techniques; these are followed by several chapters detailing various chromatographic techniques. Thermal methods, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are also covered, as is headspace analysis, determination of water, and non-metallic elemental analysis.

From the Preface: “...It is now about 30 years since the author wrote his first book on the subject and much has happened in the field since then. For example powerful new analytical tools have been made available to the chemist by a combination of various chromatographic techniques with methods of identifying separated additives and other degradation products by techniques based on infrared and mass spectrometry. In particular supercritical fluid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry has come to the fore...”

Target Audience: Analytical and quality control chemists, lab technicians, forensic scientists, upper level students, and academics interested in problems associated with plastics additives and adventitious impurities in polymers.

Table of Contents:

Direct Determination of Additives in Polymers and Rubbers

Extraction Techniques for Additives in Polymers

Liquid Chromatography

Gas Chromatography

Thin-Layer Chromatography

Paper Chromatogrophy

Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

Headspace Analysis —Volatiles

Thermal Methods

Determination of Water

Non-Metallic Elements

Appendix

Index