The Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor™ (µ-CTE™) is a compact and versatile unit comprising of up to six small cylindrical chambers that enable sampling of chemicals discharged from materials or products. Released semi-volatile and volatile organic compounds (SVOCs and VOCs) are collected onto sorbent tubes for analysis by TD–GC–MS.
As a practical tool for rapid emission screening in R&D or as part of routine factory production control, the Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor is capable of being used to check surface or bulk emission profiles, and can be used to examine raw materials and compare products across a range.
Who uses the Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor?
The Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor is used by those needing to sample SVOCs or VOCs emitted from materials and products. The applications range from emissions screening of construction materials, consumer products and car trim, to profiling the fragrance or aroma or foods and consumer products.
Product Benefits
The key benefits of the Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor are as follows:
- Confidence in results – Data obtained from the Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor has been shown to correlate with longer-term reference-test results
- Complies with international standard methods ASTM D7706 (rapid screening of VOC emissions from products) and ISO 12219-3 (interior air of road vehicles)
- Save money and time by minimizing the requirement for third-party reference tests
- Avoid tedious and time-consuming sample preparation – the sample just has to be placed in the microchamber
- Peace-of-mind – users are buying a quality product from the recognized leader in thermal desorption instrumentation
- Fast and convenient – test multiple samples in minutes, not days, for efficient quality control
Features
The main features of the Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor include:
- Construction from inert-coated stainless steel – compatibility with thermally labile or reactive chemicals
- A constant flow of heated air or gas guarantees rapid production of a representative SVOC/VOC profile
- The six-chamber model has a maximum temperature of 120 °C and a chamber volume of 44 mL
- The four-chamber model has a maximum temperature of 250 °C and a chamber volume of 114 mL
- Accessories allow permeation testing or surface-only sampling
- Sample preparation is not needed – just place the material in the chamber
- Results can be correlated with longer-term reference methods
- An optional humidifier accessory, available for both models of microchamber, supplies gas/air at up to 50% relative humidity to allow closer simulation of conditions used in reference tests and to improve the recovery of some less-volatile polar compounds
- Volatiles are collected on sorbent tubes for analysis by TD–GC–MS; also compatible with DNPH cartridges for formaldehyde monitoring.