The Carbon Black Dispersion Tester applies advanced reflected light microscopy and digital image processing techniques to provide a quick, easy, precise, and non-subjective carbon black macrodispersion assessment for rubber compounds. The main benefit of the tester is to avoid costing of over-mixing and under-mixing. The aster conforms to ASTM D2663.
Black Dispersion Analysis
- Image input: After placing the fresh cut sample onto the aperture with spring loaded specimen holder, the UD-3500 utilizes 30-degree angle of light to illuminate the specimen and scans the surface with 100X magnification. Bi-level analysis and pixels diameter analysis would be automatically computed with the captured image.
- Super bright LED is designed as lighting source for more uniform illumination as well as higher consistency and precision.
- Grey level analysis: Image brightness would be resolved into 256 grey levels for automatic bi-level thresholds determination.
- Bi-level analysis: The captured image would be transferred into binary (black / white) image after grey level analysis with digital image analysis technique. With the binary image, all dispersion analysis could be quickly carried out.
- Different positions of the specimen could be sampled per the user, and the average of multiple readings would be calculated for better dispersion assessment.
- Test results can be exported to Microsoft Excel format. Users are able to edit or delete the saved data if authorized.
- Each testing results and captured image can be stored automatically.
Why asses the level of Carbon Black Dispersion?
To determine Carbon Black: Dispersion influences physical properties:
- Abrasion resistance
- Tensile strength & elongation
- Fatigue resistance
- Tear resistance
- Hysteresis
- Carbon Blacl< Dispersion affects processability
- Electron Microscopy
- Scanning SEM
- Transmission TEM
- Atomic Force Microscopy
- Surface Topography
- Optical Microscopy
- Transmission
- Reflectance
Testing using the Carbon Black Dispersion Tester
Assesment Technique
- The image is captured.
- Flat area (no nodges) - darl<.
- Surface roughness (nodges) - bright.
Assesment Capabilities
- UD-3500 will process dispersion results in a few ways:
- Dispersion Grading (Class) - based on the 'Phillips' scale of 1-10. (1=Worst, 1o=Best).
- Histogram of agglomerate size distribution.
- Area of undispersed agglomerates
- Dispersion °/o - total percent of dispersed material (above a threshold size)
Dispersion Grading
- The DG reference scale is based on ISO 11345.
- A test sample image is captured and compared to the reference scale digitally.
- A definitive DG (Class) value is calculated automatically.
Benefits of Carbon Black Dispersion Tester
• Quick and quantitative dispersion analysis utilising digital image processing
• Easy sample preparation
• Results expressed as Class (Dispersion Grading; 1-10, comparative to standards), Agglomerate size and number, Dispersion °/o.
• In addition to built-in ISO Philip standards (5 sets, 4 kinds), the system provides 1000 groups of file establishment capacity for users to freely set up their own standards for automatic grading.
• The system may automatically store each captured image and test results, and users are allowed to edit and delete the saved data or export it to Microsoft Excel.
• Manual cured sample cutter and uncured sample preparation unit are available as options.