PolyVISC® Accessories

SPS Solution Preparation System

  • Prepares polymer solutions for relative viscosity measurements using weight-to-weight methodology
  • Eliminates errors due to variations in solvent density and cumbersome manual weight and volume measurements
  • Provides concentration accuracy often better than ±0.02%

The PolyVISC SPS Solution Preparation System from Cannon® Instrument Company is a semi-automated solution preparation system that uses gravimetric rather than volumetric methodology.
The SPS can be used with the Cannon PolyVISC (see new PolyVISC options, next page) Automatic Viscometer to provide a complete polymer analysis system.

It must be used with the A&D HR-300i or Mettler XS model balance.

Why Gravimetric Measurement?

When manual volumetric methods of preparing solutions are employed, variations of solvent density with temperature can lead to errors larger than the error inherent in the subsequent analytical procedure. In the PolyVISC SPS Solution Preparation System, the solvent is weighed rather than measured volumetrically, eliminating errors due to variations in solvent density. For samples over 100 mL, concentration accuracy is often better than ± 0.02 percent.
When solutions are prepared using the gravimetric method, the solution concentration can be expressed in units of volume when the density of the solvent is known. Thus, it is possible for the PolyVISC SPS Solution Preparation System to prepare solutions for procedures written for the volumetric method.

PolyVISC® SPS components

A computer-controlled burette pump and proprietary PolyVISC SPS software are at the heart of the Solvent Preparation System. The software permits convenient user configuration of multiple sample/solvent recipes. Other required system components (ordered separately) include aWindows-compatible computer and currently ONLY the A&D Balance Model HR-300.

Solution Preparation

SPS software forWindows® makes solution preparation rapid and simple. No volumetric glassware is used, permitting the solution to be prepared in the same sample vial used for measurement in the PolyVISC automatic viscometer. After the sample ID information is entered, and the user-configured recipe is selected, the operator places an empty container on the balance pan. The container is weighed and the operator adds the amount of solute specified by the computer to the sample container. The precise solute weight is obtained; then the computer calculates the appropriate amount of solvent and adds the solvent to the sample container on the balance. Solution concentration is calculated by the software, and all sample information is stored on the computer hard disk drive. A sample label can be printed.

New PolyVISC Options

The Cannon PolyVISC Automatic Glass Capillary Viscometer combines automatic sampling, viscosity measurement, viscometer washing, and polymer solvent compatibility to provide a convenient benchtop unit ideal for dilute solution polymer viscosity analysis. Both transparent and opaque samples can be measured with the accuracy required by ASTM D 2857.

Kynar®/Teflon® component upgrades

A Kynar® coating upgrade is available for the PolyVISC instrument. The AIRBATH interior is coated with this durable polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) compound. The upgrade permits testing with highly aggressive solvents, including concentrated sulfuric acid. The Kynar coating upgrade also includes a Kynar® wash platform and solid Teflon sample carrier and wash station.

PolyVISC viscometer tubes

Two tube types are available for the PolyVISC instrument. The modified Atlantic compound viscometer tube is suitable for most samples. The modified Ubbelohde tube is particularly suited for more volatile samples, and may significantly enhance determinability and repeatability.

New Polymer Consulting Service

Cannon Instrument Company is pleased to announce the availability of its polymer lab for consulting work related to polymer applications. Dr. David Trowbridge has joined our laboratory staff as a polymer chemist specializing in application development based around the polymer testing capabilities of the PolyVISC and other Cannon instrumentation. He obtained his PhD in Polymer Science from the University of Akron, and was a research chemist at Goodyear for more than a decade. His principle research interests include polymer physics, rheology, and physical chemistry with emphasis on solution properties and analytical methods. Inquiries may be made directly with Dr. Trowbridge at Cannon. e-mail address: dtrowbridge@cannoninstrument.com.