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News Release from: Smithers Rapra
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 28 March 2005
Rapra stretches the frontier of
elastomer know-how
The Rapra Technology High Performance and Speciality Elastomers Conference is set to give the sector a timely and innovative boost when it takes place in Geneva from April 20-21, 2005
The Rapra Technology High Performance and Speciality Elastomers Conference is set to give the sector a timely and innovative boost when it takes place in Geneva from April 20-21, 2005 This year's conference is particularly strong on fluroelastomer developments and also features a large number of presentations based on end-use applications
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 12 Feb 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Rapra paper will focus on the sensitive area of rubber-based analysis in the food contact and pharmaceutical areas of the market.
Particular emphasis will be given to the developing role of the new suite of Rapra equipment in Gas-chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS).
Rapra materials analyst Dr Martin Forrest comments that 'a full characterisation of the low molecular weight species present in rubber compounds is becoming increasing necessary due to the requirements of the food and pharmaceutical industry; is important for occupational health and environmental concerns; and assists in analytical exercises such as reverse engineering for the support of R and D activities.
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The range of low molecular weight components in rubber is complex and will include monomers and oligomers, manufacturing impurities and artifacts within compound additives, the additives (eg process aids, antidegradants and cure system species) themselves, as well as breakdown products from curatives and antidegradants.' Forrest adds that 'Gas-chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) has been the analytical tool of choice for this type of investigative work for over thirty years.
It separates the components species that are present in a complex mixture and then identifies them via their mass spectra.
The recent advent of two-dimensional gas chromatography (ie GCxGC) associated with mass spectroscopy (referred to as GCxGC TOF-MS) has provided a quantum step improvement in the resolving power available and it is now possible to identify and quantify compounds that were masked by other compounds.' Conference organiser Dr Sally Humphreys says that 'this is a unique chance to hear about all the leading edge developments in high performance rubbers.
All job descriptions in the rubber industry - its suppliers and customers,' she adds, 'including product designers, processors, materials specialists and engineers are welcome.' Early booking is advised and for the gastronomically-minded, Viton is sponsoring a free fondue-based traditional Swiss meal on the first day of the event.
For this and all further details contact Dr Sally Humphreys at Rapra Technology.
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