Viscotek, a division of Malvern, is providing fully automated, temperature-controlled measurement of polymer dilute solution viscosity (DSV), a parameter widely used for molecular weight determination.
The Viscotek DSV system contains a closed solvent loop that provides high levels of safety while automation eliminates the errors associated with manual instruments, improving precision and accuracy.
The system is suitable for biopharmaceutical and polymer scientists, for QC and product development, according to the company.
DSV is used increasingly for the characterisation of macromolecules such as hyaluronic acid, which is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for its viscosity properties. Similarly, in the bulk polymer industry, intrinsic viscosity data are used to determine or verify the average molecular weight of many bulk polymers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) being a prime example.
The company said the speed, convenience and robustness of the Viscotek DSV system make it an alternative to conventional techniques that use glass apparatus, which is time-consuming both to use and clean.
The DSV system incorporates a dual capillary viscometer and also Viscotek’s Vortex automated sample preparation and injection system. It operates with a pump-driven closed loop to minimise solvent exposure, reduce sample size and cut associated solvent costs.
With a dual capillary viscometer, viscosity is determined by comparing the pressure drop induced over a capillary by solvent and sample solution. Measurements are made according to ASTM approved, Method D 5225-92.
Viscotek
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