A versatile and automated tool for materials testing

The µ-CTE™ system comprises six micro-chambers which allow surface or bulk emissions to be tested from up to six samples simultaneously.  The µ-CTE is compatible with industry standard sorbent tubes.  Adaptors are also available for non-standard 6 mm O.D. sorbent tubes and aldehyde (DNPH) cartridges with 4 mm O.D. ends.

Analysis of samples
(S)VOC vapours are swept from the sample material in the micro-chamber and onto the attached sorbent tubes which are then thermally desorbed and analysed by GC(-MS) as per international standard methods.  (Formaldehyde and other carbonyls are measured using alternative sampling and analytical procedures).  

The thermal desorption analytical process is carried out off-line allowing a fresh set of samples to be introduced to the µ-CTE while analysis of vapours emitted by the previous set of samples is being performed.  


Key applications for the µ-CTE:  

• Testing emissions from material surfaces at low temperatures for correlation with data from conventional emission chambers/cells.
  • Intercomparison of products within a range (e.g. different colours/patterns). 
  • Testing prototype, “low-emission” materials. 
  • Monitoring product uniformity, with respect to emissions, in between formal certification tests.
• Testing VOCs and Semi-VOCs (SVOC) in bulk materials for routine quality control (content and emissions testing).
• Testing vapour permeation into and through materials at various temperatures.
  

   µ-CTE shows good quantitative and qualitative correlation with conventional emission test methods
Reference:
 
Analytical Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2007.
A microscale device for measuring emissions from materials for indoor use.
T Schripp, B Nachtwey, J Toelke, T Salthammer, E Uhde, M Wensing, M Bahadir

Unique flow control technology
A constant flow of air or gas is maintained through each sample chamber, independent of sorbent tube impedance and whether or not a sorbent tube is attached.  No pump or mass flow controller is required.  This makes the system easy-to-use and ideal for routine quality control tests.  

Sample testing
Tests can be carried out at ambient or elevated temperatures and the total test time for all 6 samples, is usually between 15 and 30 minutes.  Elevated temperatures can be maintained indefinitely if required e.g. for accelerated shelf-life testing of foods or consumer products or for extended permeation experiments. 

Accessories
The µ-CTE includes a complete set of sample spacers to allow the emitting surface of the sample to be presented to the air flow at the correct height, whatever its original thickness.  Materials for bulk emissions testing or odour/fragrance profiling may simply be weighed directly into an empty micro-chamber or into a custom made 'sample boat' which is subsequently placed into the chamber itself. 

Special accessories are available for recovery tests and for permeation testing e.g. evaluating the permeability of textiles or rubber gloves. 

For part numbers and pricing please contact your local Markes distributor or visit our on-line shop.

Relevant technical support publications from Markes International can be automatically downloaded from this web site (registration required). Examples include:

• Brochure - Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor (µ-CTE)
• TDTS 52 – The use of TD-GC(-MS) in flavour and fragrance profiling and food analysis
• TDTS 65 – Automating the emission of VOCs and semi-VOCs in materials using direct thermal desorption
• TDTS 67 - Using the µ-CTE for testing the emission profiles of products and materials used indoors
• TDTS 69 - The Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor - an innovative, rapid and cost effective approach for testing VOC emissions from materials
  

Other thermal desorption sampling accessories available from Markes include: 

Air sampling pumps
MTS-32 sequential tube sampler
Bio-VOC breath sampler
VOC-Mole soil probe
FLEC cell
Calibration Solution Loading Rig
TC-20 tube conditioner
Pneumatic control accessory
Digital flowmeter
Helium Gas Leak Detector
Sorbent tubes for Thermal Analysis - Evolved Gas Collection 

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