Testing The Polymer - Ametek Davenport PET Plus User Manual

Place each phial into the storage area at the sides of the polymer drier then push each of the metal
tubes into a quick release connector along the top of the drier. Note that the tube clicks into place in
the connector and cannot be pulled out again until the release lever is pressed.
Check that each of the vacuum valves is open (lever is in line with the vacuum pipe).
Wait for 5 minutes to ensure that a good vacuum is applied to the samples then place each of the
phials into the heated block. This is to ensure that the polymer is not initially heated when air and / or
moisture is present in the tube.
The samples MUST be dried for a time period between 16 and 24 hours. A typical procedure is to
place the samples in the drier at (say) 4PM so that they are ready for testing the next morning from
8AM onwards.
At the end of the drying time, remove the phials from the heated block and place in the storage areas
at the sides of the polymer drier.
WARNING: Hot tubes! Wear Heat Protective Gloves.
Note that the plastic tubes MUST still be attached to the quick release connectors and the vacuum
pump MUST be left running.
Dried samples of polymer can remain in the parking area for up to 24 hours before testing with the
vacuum pump running. Therefore, a number of samples, from 1 to 6, can be dried at the same time.

9.6 TESTING THE POLYMER

NoTE: It is very important that the Die, the Barrel and the Follower are scrupulously clean
and have been assembled correctly after cleaning.
It is also important that the PET Plus is set to the "Pre-Test" screen ready for testing.
THIS PROCEDURE IS PART OF THE MAIN PROCEDURE SHOWN IN SECTION 7.7
Select a sample phial and turn the vacuum valve in the plastic vacuum tube to closed (lever is at 90
degrees to the vacuum pipe).
Press the release lever on the front of the quick connector so that the metal tube springs up out of the
connector.
Note that the quick release connector has a
sealing valve so that the vacuum is not released
from the other sample phials.
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