Polymers, are the main components of a vast class of materials. They are characterized by their polymerization degree, which corresponds to the number of monomers constituting the polymer chain. Their physical and chemical properties such as viscosity, melting temperature, mechanical modules, adhesion, resistance to degradation... are dependent on their polymerization degree.
Today's polymers are all around us. They are used in a wide range of industries including plastics, packaging, automotive, textiles...

Their main advantages include low density with a high strength-to-weight ratio, good chemical resistance/homogeneous chemical composition, low melting point/high malleability and a homogeneous chemical composition.

Polymers have gradually replaced natural substances in composite materials. Their development raised the demand for some specific properties that were not possible before. Composites consist of two or more immiscible components with a high capacity for macroscopic interpenetration and adhesion, with an interface exhibiting different physical and chemical properties.
This association of components leads to the creation of new materials with more advantageous properties than the single components. Example of this can be found in plastics reinforced with different types of fibers used in the construction of large structures such as ships, pressurized reactors, wind turbine blades, car body parts...

Our proven expertise in the plastics industry comes from 30 years of exchanges on all types of needs.

Plastics manufacturers were one of the first TESCAN ANALYTICS customers. For nearly 30 years, we have been discussing the issues encountered by players in this sector. Our team has thus been able to develop a large expertise in this area.

Polymer paintgs/coatings, mechanical characterization of filler/matrix interfaces, influence of forming conditions on the chemistry and surface properties, microstructure of polymer/elastomer blends, filled or not, surface treatments aimed at improving adhesion properties, chemical functionalization of textile surfaces, analysis of fracture patterns in composites or assemblies, surface contamination by release agents such as flame retardants, etc.

All these issues and more have been solved by our team. Our complete range of instruments and our expertise allow us to offer you the optimal analytical solution.
 

Non-exhaustive list of our examples of application in the field of plastics processing: