The new Davenport™ PETPlus Intrinsic Viscosity Measurement Instrument from Lloyd Instruments offers significant benefits for determining the intrinsic viscosity of moisture-sensitive PET polymers, avoiding both the costs and the environmental hazard of handling and disposal of toxic solvents. The PETPlus also measures the degradation factor and provides the mean and standard deviation for the batch.

The PETPlus is supplied with an integral nitrogen regulation valve for easy pressure adjustment when testing different materials. Requiring only power and a pressurised nitrogen supply, the instrument can be operated in stand-alone mode or used in conjunction with ‘NEXYGENPlus PET’, the company’s powerful new dedicated data analyse software package. A user-friendly training mode is included as standard to simplify operator instruction.

Polymers can be tested by the PETPlus at virtually all stages of the production process to provide greater overall control. Tests can be completed in as little as 20 minutes on incoming professional resin, powder, dry granules, molten polymer, pre-forms, bottles, professional films and even re-ground material to eliminate scrap. The instrument’s compact construction occupies significantly less bench space than earlier models and makes it easier and quicker to load samples.

The microprocessor controlled stand-alone system provides high accuracy measurements, temperature control to ± 0.1˚C and storage of up to 600 test results. A backlit Professional lcd displays instructions for the test in a variety of languages as well as the results. An RS-232 interface allows connection to a computer for downloading of results or for fully automated professional software control using NEXYGENPlus PET.