Research and Development
Primex Plastics and O’Neil Color and Compounding utilize the services of
ICC’s corporate research center located in Richmond, IN. This New Product
Development Center (NPDC) was established in 1992 to provide technical
assistance to the ICC companies and their customers. This facility operates in
full compliance with ISO 9001 and is audited for compliance as a part of Primex
Plant 1’s registration. It specializes in thermoplastics with emphasis on both
complete products and concentrates (master batches) for use within ICC and for
sale as plastic pellets through O’Neil Color and Compounding or as sheet through
Primex Plastics.
NPDC Capabilities
 All
the physical properties typically presented in a data sheet can be run in
house. State of the art equipment such as computerized tensile, compressive
and flexural strength testing are utilized in a temperature-controlled
laboratory to assure accuracy of measured values. Other less frequently
reported values such as coefficient of sliding friction and thermal expansion
are also routinely measured. Examinations of small-scale phenomena such as
surface defects and contamination utilize a research grade binocular microscope
fitted with a digital camera.
 Two
roll mill, lab scale single screw extruder, production scale three layer
extruder, state of the art co-rotating twin
screw mixing with sophisticated solid and liquid feed systems, and high
temperature capable Battenfeld injection molders are used to prepare test
specimens of new products and product improvements.
 Accelerated
weathering is performed in a QUV Cabinet and Xenon Arc Weatherometer. Heat and
humidity ageing chamber are available as well. Computerized color
spectrophotometers are used in the evaluation of accelerated weathering
specimens along with loss of ductility as measured by loss of impact strength or
elongation.
 Ignition
resistance testing such as is specified by Underwriters Laboratories, FAA, and
DOT are routinely conducted.
 High
accuracy measurement of glass transition temperature, crystalline melting point,
and recrystalization temperatures are made with a Differential Scanning
Calorimeter. Likewise, infrared absorption is measured using Fourier
Transform - Infrared Spectroscopy. These “finger prints” identify many thermoplastic compositions.
For more complex identifications the excellent analytical capabilities of
Earlham College in Richmond are available for use. These capabilities include NMR, FT-IR, HPLC, and even a scanning electron microscopy.
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