GCMS Testing from Innovatech Labs Aids in Detecting Residual Solvents and Organics for Manufacturing Engineers

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry identifies trace elements of substances in a given sample

Minneapolis, MN, June 25, 2009 --(PR.com)-- www.innovatechlabs.com - Materials testing lab, Innovatech, combines the features of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify and quantify low levels of materials left behind from the manufacturing process.

GC/MS allows for the identification and quantification of many residual organic compounds left on finished products. Below are a few examples of how

Innovatech Labs has helped other customers in this area:
· Residual organics present on metal stents to determine the best cleaning method
· Determined residual ethanol levels in a pharmaceutical powder
· Quantified the amount of DMSO in a gel
· Quantified the amount of acetone in albumin samples

The GC/MS Process
GC/MS Testing begins with the sample being injected into a gas chromatograph which will separate the various components of the test sample based on size and/or polarity.

Next, the various components of the sample are put into the mass selective detector which allows for the identification of the components based upon the mass spectrum generated being compared to standard reference libraries.

Innovatech Labs can identify unknown substances in liquid, gaseous and solid form. Sample sizes can be identified from as small as several micro-liters for a liquid or gas and between .5 and 1 gram for analysis of a solid.

Once tested and separated, the mass spectrum of the unknown compound will be searched against the computerized reference library of 275,000 spectra for identification.

Upon completion of the spectra identification, the concentration of the various compounds will be quantified by establishing a standard curve of known concentrations of each material.

"The unique part of GC/MS testing is the ability to separate and specifically identify the components of a mixed product, while also quantifying those unknown compounds," Smith explains. "That way, you not only receive what is in the product of question, but how much is in the product of question as well."

Other common uses for this technique include:
· Identify and Quantify Unknown Compounds
· Quantify unreacted monomers in a polymer
· Study gasses evolved during heating of a material
· Identify unknown contaminants in a solution
· Identify gasses within a sealed environment
· Quantify additives in a compound

The Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) process is typically completed in one hour or less, varying by amount of complexity and compound amount. Contact one of the professional lab technicians to learn more about GC/MS testing of your product.

About Innovatech Labs
Innovatech Labs is a contract materials testing lab specializing in materials characterization. Our rapid turnaround times (typically 5 business days or less) eliminate lengthy downtimes waiting for testing lab results for our customers in manufacturing. We pride ourselves on being our customer's first resource for analytical testing lab services. We will help you decide which analytical technique best suits your needs. If we don't have that technique in house, we will help you locate a lab that does.

Innovatech Labs offers a broad range of analytical techniques in our testing lab, including surface spectroscopy (ESCA/XPS, AUGER, SEM/EDS), organic spectroscopies (FTIR, GC/MS), ion chromatography (IC), and liquid particle counting (LPC).

###
Contact
Innovatech Labs, LLC
Jennifer Mathias
(763) 231-0150
www.innovatechlabs.com
ContactContact
Categories