Labman Frontal Polymerization System
About
The Labman Frontal Polymerization System is a custom-designed module to automate a testing procedure that has been developed in the Autonomic Materials System group at Beckman. During the frontal polymerization test, the polymer resins can be heated at a single point, which triggers an exothermic polymerization reaction. The system includes a thermal camera so the spatially resolved cure temperatures and the front speed can be measured.
Included equipment
Frontal polymerization imaging
When the mold is in the imaging location, three heating pins are heated (up to 250ºC) and pressed into contact with the thermal transfer pads in the molds. The key specifications of the IR camera are as follows:
Frontal polymerization imaging
When the mold is in the imaging location, three heating pins are heated (up to 250ºC) and pressed into contact with the thermal transfer pads in the molds. The key specifications of the IR camera are as follows:
Syringe storage rack
A temperature-controlled syringe storage rack is included. The rack can store up to 56 syringes and the temperature can be controlled from 4-40ºC. The temperature is controlled using a Julabo chiller.
Frontal polymerization mold storage
Up to 54 custom molds can be stored in the mold storage rack. Currently, there is only one mold design. The molds have 3 channels so the material can be measured in triplicate.
Dispenser
The dispenser is used to deposit the molds. Once the syringe has been placed in the dispenser, the rod is lowered until it reaches the plunger. Several key dispensing parameters can be controlled in the software.
Dispenser
The dispenser is used to deposit the molds. Once the syringe has been placed in the dispenser, the rod is lowered until it reaches the plunger. Several key dispensing parameters can be controlled in the software.
Have questions?
Contact the IPML team.
Illinois Polymer Maker Lab