Dielectric Analysis - DEA

For the investigation of the curing behavior of thermosetting resin systems, composite materials, adhesives and paints, dielectric analysis (DEA) has stood the test of time because it can be employed not only on a laboratory scale, but also in process. Versatile sensors for almost every application are available for measurement of the ion viscosity.

The different models of the DEA 230 Epsilon can be connected to the dynamic mechanical analyzer DMA 242 C for simultaneous DMA-DEA analyses. The combination of these complimentary methods provides additional information for complete characterization of the crosslinking behavior of the reactive polymers.

The high-performance, two-channel DEA 230/2 Epsilon can be equipped with up to two different external interface boxes in order to cover a wide ion viscosity range. It is the only apparatus that can be equipped with the IC (integrated circuit) sensor for low ion conductivity ranges. This chip sensor delivers highly accurate, reproducible loss factor and permittivity results, even at the lowest frequencies.

Even with the standard instrument, the single-channel DEA 230/1 Epsilon, it is possible to measure the frequency-dependent curing or crosslinking behavior (multi-frequency sweeps) of most thermosets, adhesives and paints.

The 10-channel DEA 230/10 Epsilon offers the additional capability to employing multiple sensor positions or different sensor types simultaneously, which makes it ideal for process development and production applications.

For the investigation of fast curings (< 3 min), highly reactive thermosetting resin systems, composite materials, adhesives and paints, dielectric analysis (DEA) with the DEA 231/1 Epsilon has proven its worth. Versatile sensors are available for measurement of the ion viscosity.

Because of its high data acquisition rate in the ms range, the single-channel DEA 231/1 Epsilon is predestined for online recording of very fast reactions such as UV curing or for the curing of SMC/BMC (sheet or bulk molding compounds).

The DEA 231/1 Epsilon is ideal for process monitoring and optimization. For example, by setting a trigger signal via the CPC software, formed SMC parts are not ejected after a certain period of time as they customarily would be, but rather only after have reached a certain degree of cure, which is determined online from the ion viscosity or its first derivative. This means that cycle times can be shortened and production costs lowered.

The DEA 231/1 Epsilon can also be connected to the dynamic mechanical analyzer DMA 242 C for simultaneous DMA-DEA analyses. The combination of these complimentary methods provides additional information for complete characterization of the crosslinking behavior of the reactive polymers.