Silicone Testing

Silicones can be challenging to analyze. Dow Corning's ability to develop new products and modify existing ones is based in part upon our silicone analytical expertise and advanced instrumentation. Our analytical group has been characterizing silicon based materials for over 65 years and literally "wrote the book" on analyzing silicones: The Analytical Chemistry of Silicones.

Our scientists use a variety of analytical instruments to characterize silicone materials to better understand the relationships between their chemistry and key application properties. We have a wide range of practical experience in troubleshooting problems from diverse industries - including automotive, solar, electronics, paper, construction, healthcare and specialty chemicals.

We have the capability to measure trace silicon/siloxane concentrations in a variety of matrices such as food, hair, lotions, lip balm, paper processing pulp, pharma protein broths, etc. We can perform cleaning validation testing to determine if residual silicone from antifoam agents are present in your process equipment. We have had success quantitating silicone at levels below 50 ppb elemental Si in a variety of organic and aqueous matrices using inductively coupled plasma (ICP).

Silicone Testing Solutions:

	Measure silicone deposition on hair (PDF)
	Characterize silicone molecular structure
	Silicone analysis to recommend comparable material
	Silicone contamination testing
	Measure silane surface treatment levels
	Measure silicon(e) concentration

Some of the instrument techniques we use to characterize materials include:

• Chemical Structure Identification (PDF) (Raman, IR, NMR, UV-VIS)
• Chromatography and Separations (GPC, HPLC, IC, GC)
• Mass Spectrometry (PDF) (GC-MS, LC-MS, GC-TOF-MS)
• Microscopy (optical, AFM, SEM, TEM)
• Surface Analysis (XPS or ESCA, contact angle, surface tension, interferometry)
• Elemental Testing (WDXRF, ICP-AES, ICP-MS, XRD)
• Thermal Analysis (PDF) (TGA, DSC, high temperature DSC, DMA, TMA, Py-GCMS, flashpoint)
• Physical Property Testing (solid and liquid density, rheology, flashpoint, melting and boiling point)

Please contact us by e-mail or call one of our global locations to discuss your specific testing needs.

Sources:
A. Lee Smith (ed), The Analytical Chemistry of Silicones, Wiley-Interscience, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York (1991).