CRYSTAF QC is a simplified CRYSTAF instrument specially optimized for reliability and analysis speed, aimed at the fast analysis of the Chemical Composition Distribution in a Quality Control environment, where speed and instrumentation reliability are key factors.

The CRYSTAF (Crystallization Analysis Fractionation) technique is an established method for fractionation of Polyolefins according to their comonomer content, resulting in the chemical composition distribution of the materials. The polymer solution concentration is monitored by using Polymer Char’s infrared detector IR4 during the crystallization process, which takes place in short isothermal steps instead of following a continuous temperature ramp in comparison to the standard CRYSTAF technique. In this way, the efficiency of the crystallization process is enhanced, thus reducing the required analysis time for a given resolution. Due to the CRYSTAF QC special design, one sample is analyzed with good resolution in only two hours while achieving high reproducibility.

The Virtual Instrumentation software controls the full process, so no manpower is required. The sample is put into the crystallization vessel and the instrument performs the solvent filling, dissolution, crystallization and data collection. At the end of the process, the vessel and lines are cleaned and the CRYSTAF QC is ready to start a new run. Results of the Chemical Composition Distribution are obtained directly from the software.