Meaning
High-resolution mass spectrometry of polymer additives and volatile organic compounds requires the use of an electrostatic ion trap that utilizes harmonic oscillations to measure mass-to-charge ratios with high accuracy. In an orbitrap, ions are injected tangentially and trapped around a central electrode, producing a frequency of motion that is converted into a mass spectrum via Fourier transform. This analytical tool enables the precise identification of polymer degradation products, plasticizers, and trace contaminants in molded articles.
Additive Analysis
Identifying the exact chemical structure of polymer stabilizers, UV absorbers, and flame retardants is necessary for quality assurance and competitive benchmarking. Using an orbitrap, laboratories can resolve the complex mass spectra of multi-component additive packages with high mass resolution. This capability is crucial for verifying that incoming resin shipments contain the specified additives and do not include unapproved recycled material.
Contaminant Fingerprinting
Odor and outgassing in automotive interior molded parts must be tightly controlled to meet air quality standards. The orbitrap is coupled with gas chromatography to identify the trace volatile compounds responsible for these emissions. This combination allows molders to pinpoint the thermal degradation products of the resin or the residue of processing aids that cause the outgassing.
Detection Limit
High sensitivity and resolution are required when analyzing trace leachables in medical-grade plastic packaging. The orbitrap can detect sub-parts-per-billion levels of leachables that would otherwise go unnoticed, ensuring that the polymer is safe for medical use.