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TEST PROGRAMS
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TEMPERATURES
The following options are available:
•
TEST TEMPERATURE – Set to a
value that correlates well to the
reference method and gives good test
times and repeatability. The
maximum test temperature is 225 ºC
on the MAX
®
4000 and 275 ºC on the
MAX
®
4000XL.
•
TEST HISTART TEMP - When active, the HISTART TEMP is used at the start of the
test, and the test continues at that temperature for at least one minute. When the rate
of moisture loss falls to half of its peak value, the instrument then changes to the TEST
TEMP for the remainder of the test. This shortens a long test without affecting the
results and may be useful for tests longer than 15 minutes. When used, try a
HISTART TEMP that is 25 ºC above the TEST TEMP. To deactivate the HISTART
feature, set the HISTART TEMP to 25 ºC.
•
IDLE TEMPERATURE – This is the temperature that is maintained by the instrument
between tests. This speeds testing throughput by decreasing the time required to
heat the sample chamber at the beginning of the test and reducing the cool down time
between tests. An appropriate idle temperature can save 10 to 120 seconds of test
time and several minutes of cool down time if properly used. A common idle
temperature value is 50 ºC or 80 ºC for most products. For plastics, a 100 ºC idle is
desirable. Any value between 25 °C and 150 ºC can be used. Too high a value
causes low results because the sample is evaporating while the starting weight is
being measured at the beginning of the test. Experiment to see what value is best for
your application.
•
TEMP RATE - The temperature is controlled to the specified rate while ramping to the
setpoint. This can be used to slow the heating of a sample to determine at what
temperature the sample releases volatiles. The Temp Rate can be set from 1 to 99 °C
per minute and has a range of control from 40 to 275 °C. During the ramp,
temperatures are maintained to within 1% of the instantaneous temperature
determined by the temp ramp rate. Set TEMP RATE to 0 to disable temperature ramp
control. Note: only the MAX
®
4000XL has Temp Rate Control.
•
START TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Prevents a test from starting if the chamber
temperature is more than five degrees hotter or colder than the IDLE
TEMPERATURE. Once the temperature has stabilized at the IDLE TEMPERATURE,
the instrument will allow the test to be started. This feature can improve the standard
deviation of results of some temperature-sensitive materials.
