Client request
A client came to us with a specific request: to identify the presence and percentage of a lubricant additive in a polyoxymethylene (POM) polymer sample. The goal was clear: to understand which lubricant agent was used and in what quantity. This information is crucial for optimizing the material’s tribological properties, such as reducing friction and wear.
Lubricant additives like PTFE, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), graphite, or silicones are often added to polymers during the compounding phase to improve their performance. Their mechanism of action can vary: some form a surface film, others slowly diffuse from the core of the material, and still others, such as those with a lamellar structure, reduce shear stress.
The solution proposed by Plastanalisi
After a careful evaluation, we proposed a combined analysis strategy based on our many years of experience in polymer analysis. Since the sample was white, we immediately narrowed the search to the most likely lubricants: PTFE and silicone.
For the PTFE, we used a combination of techniques: DSC thermal analysis for qualitative verification (presence/absence) and ion chromatography (IC) for precise quantification. Simultaneously, for the silicone, we performed a targeted extraction of the material, followed by an FT-IR analysis (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) to confirm its presence and, finally, determine its percentage by weight.
Analysis results
Our analysis led to a clear result. We found only one lubricant additive inside the sample: silicone, with a content of 2% by weight. The FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the chemical structure of the silicone, providing irrefutable proof.
This data provided the client with valuable information for their project. The success of this investigation demonstrates the effectiveness of our methodologies and our laboratory’s ability to solve complex challenges, providing concrete and reliable answers.
Presence of a silicone-based lubricant additive: 2% by weight
