DSM Research choses the Netzsch LFA447 NanoFlash™
for polymer research

The photo shows the users Jo Bothmer and Monique Walet around the LFA 447 NanoFlash™ in the DSM laboratories. The NanoFlash™ has been used by DSM Research for more then one year now and has made an important contribution to the research activities.

DSM in Geleen, The Netherlands, is one of the worlds most important producers of polymers (performance materials), industrial chemicals, nutritions and pharmaceuticals.

High accuracy, easy handling and the possibility to measure molten polymers in a nitrogen environment were decisive factors!

DSM Research / Engineering plastics in Geleen has become famous by developing many new materials, like Dyneema®, the world's strongest fiber™ and the high temperature technical polyamide Stanyl®, which is used for electronic and automotive applications. For product development and quality control, DSM has thermal analysis laboratories, where techniques like DSC, TGA and DEA (dielectric analysis) are used.

The application of the performance materials also requires knowledge about the thermal conductivity. After a few years outsourcing the thermal conductivity measurements, DSM started to look for an own thermal conductivity tester and therefore got in contact with our agency, Technex in Wormerveer, The Netherlands, who has been supplier to DSM for more then 20 years.

DSM projectleader Paul Steeman and researcher Jo Bothmer discussed with account manager Loran Mak of Technex the needs and wishes for the thermal conductivity instrument. Initially, DSM had a preference for the Guarded Heat Flow method. Loran Mak said: "After inventarisation all the requirements, including the demands for accuracy, reproducibility, measuring range and temperature range, for me it was clear that the proven LaserFlash (or XenonFlash) method would be the ideal solution for DSM. This non-contacting technique offers a fast, versatile and precise absolute method, covering the entire spectrum of materials and temperatures."

We, at Netzsch-Gerätebau GmbH in Selb, have more than 20 years experience with the LaserFlash method in a temperature range from -125…2000°C. Only a few years ago we introduced the LFA447 NanoFlash™, a cost-effective table top unit upto 300°C. To prove DSM that the NanoFlash™ offers the required specifications, 6 polymer samples have been measured by our applications laboratory at the headquarters in Selb. The results were excellent and the standarddeviation was better then 1% on the DSM samples.

To get a good impression about the handling of the instrument, DSM visited the NETZSCH laboratories. Jo Bothmer:"During this visit we saw that preparing the samples and operating the instrument is very easy. The sample changer for 4 samples guarantees a high sample throughput." Paul Steeman was also very enthousiastic about the unique features:"The possibility to measure both in-plane and through-plane, and even molten polymers in a nitrogen environment, has convinced us to go for the NETZSCH LFA 447 NanoFlash™."