The Smithers Rapra SVNC

The Smithers Rapra SVNC (Scanning Vibrating Needle Curemeter) is a unique & fully automatic instrument for monitoring the cure of foam & liquid polymers. The SVNC is robust & easy to use instrument which continuously monitors material cure from the liquid to the solid phase & is suitable for;

• Polyurethanes
  • cast elastomers
  • flexible or rigid foams
• RTV & HTV silicones
• Polysulphide sealants
• Unsaturated polyester resins
• PF & UF resins
• Epoxy resins
• Acrylic resins
• PVC plastisols

The SVNC provides insights into viscous & elastic changes, is robust & simple to operate on both small & bulk samples. SVNC equipment can be utilised anywhere in the factory for quality control or research & development bringing with it true objectivity to cure monitoring for reliable, consistent & improved performance.

The benefits of using an SVNC include:

• True objectivity in cure profiling
• Provides insights hitherto only accessible by research instrumentation
• Ease of operation allows for routine screening
• PC-based system for archiving & data comparison
• Up to eight files can be compared on screen
• Problems with batch, mix or temperature control rapidly recognised
• Far less wastage, faster curing, better products

Profiling Liquid Polymer Cures

The SVNC is as a powerful tool for profiling liquid polymer cures, for cast elastomers, sealants, flexible & rigid foams, encapsulating resins, adhesives & coatings. The effects of formulation, mixing & temperature changes are all recorded. Cure development is monitored through a vibrating probe in a configuration which places very little constraint on sample shape or size & can accommodate expanding systems including free-rise foams. The instrument operates around the resonance condition & can be configured to track the amplitude resonance & resonance frequency during the cure.

Twin outputs of needle amplitude & frequency continuously measure the changes in the viscosity & elasticity of the material from free flowing liquid through to the final cured material – a facility previously only accessible via sophisticated – & expensive rheological instruments. The fully automatic stand allows the needle to be positioned to within 10 microns in the heat stage. Fast accurate needle positioning is a feature of the SVNC & facilitates reproducible results.

Disposable carbon needles & removable sample holders ensure ease of operation.

The Smithers Rapra SVNC provides processors with measurable benefits;

• Gives information & reproducible results
• Enhances finished product quality
• Aids process control & optimisation
• Supports compliance with ISO standards
• It is proven, reliable & versatile

User Statements

"By using the Foam VNC as a quality control measure on our goods inward we identified a faulty batch of polyol before it entered our production line. This instance alone has recouped the cost of purchasing the instrument".

"Studying the cure profile of our range of elastomers products we found significant time saving was possible in our moulding processes. By reducing our de-mould times many tens of thousands of dollars have been saved in production costs".

Downloads

• Cure Information