Dispergrader

disperGRADER+™
Reflective Light Microscope

For the accurate measurement of filler dispersion

• Quantitative dispersion rating • Rapid • Simple to use • Fully automated results analysis and display
– Digital image processing

• Accurate measurement of uncured samples • Accurate measurement of Vulcanised samples • Accurate measurement of all filler types
– Carbon Black – Silica – Naturalmaterials

I N N OVAT I N G F O R E F F I C I E N C Y

Overview
Filler dispersion has critical effect on final product properties
The determination of filler dispersion in technical rubber goods and tire compounds is of great importance to the industry. Dispersion quality has a direct impact on final product properties and is therefore widely used as a quality control parameter. ThedisperGRADER+™ is a state of the art instrument designed to measure filler dispersion in rubber compounds. Many properties of the cured compound are directly affected by filler dispersion including:

• Tensile strength • Tear strength • Fatigue resistance • Abrasion resistance
An accurate tool to indicate processability
In a controlled environment, an indication of dispersion can be derived fromMooney, rheology or dynamic mechanical testing. However, in an actual mixing environment, data from these tests can also indicate mixing variations, polymer variations, filler variations, cure system variations and weight variations. The disperGRADER is the only instrument that gives a direct measurement of dispersion in a fast and simple test, without requiring subjective assessment.disperGRADER+ benefits
• •
Allows quick and easy testing of dispersion compared to other optical techniques which often take hours to perform (less than 2 minutes with sample preparation). Provides accurate, repeatable results in seconds for both vulcanised and uncured rubber compounds that are applicable to the process.

• • •

Uses digital image processing to automatically determine dispersionratings, filler distribution and agglomerate size. Can be used for all filler types including Carbon Black, Silica and natural inorganic materials. Routine use of the disperGRADER will assist in optimizing mixing time.

Major features
Importance of Dispersion
Dispersion is important because:

Sample Preparation

• Many failure properties are initiated by agglomerates. • The larger theagglomerate, the faster the failure.
Therefore: Improved Dispersion

• Sample preparation simply involves cutting the sample to
generate a ‘fresh face’ for analysis Reduces Agglomerate Size

– A simple cutting tool is supplied to optimise sample
preparation for cured samples.

• For uncured compounds the disperGRADER has an optional
Improved Failure Properties sample preparation device that cuts atest surface under tension. This overcomes the surface ‘smearing’ that occurs when uncured compounds are simply cut. Surface smearing
“The performance, failure properties, and appearance of a tire or rubber products are influenced significantly by the dispersion of the filler in the rubber compound.”

typically prevents meaningful data being obtained.

Compound Processability is alsoinfluenced by filler dispersion. Generally

• Increased dispersion lowers viscosity. • Increased dispersion decreases elasticity.
Routine measurement of dispersion will provide information about:

Simple cutting tool for cured samples

disperGRADER sample cutter for uncured compounds

Sample Analysis
Sensor
Reflected Light Light

• mixing efficiency • material properties • processingproperties • quality of the final product
not easily obtained by other methods.

30°

Specimen

Widely used for quality control Traditional methods of measuring filler dispersion are subjective, time-consuming and have limited benefit for fast quality control. The disperGRADER uses digital image processing to automatically measure the size and proportion of undispersed agglomerates and provides...