Analytical Testing Services

Dow Corning`s ability to develop new products and modify existing ones is based in part upon the experience of our Analytical Sciences group which has been characterizing silicon based materials for more than 65 years and literally "wrote the book" on analyzing silicones: The Analytical Chemistry of Silicones.

The Analytical Sciences group consists of a global network of laboratories which use a variety of analytical capabilities including chemical structure analysis, elemental testing, chromatography, thermal analysis, microscopy and surface testing to characterize silicone materials and to better understand the relationships between their chemistry and key application properties. We also have a wide range of practical experience in troubleshooting issues from diverse industries - including automotive, solar, electronics, paper, construction, healthcare and specialty chemicals.

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

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