Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring


Pier transmission photometers

January 2010 Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring

All of these desirable qualities are a function of the various PVB foils sandwiched between the glass layers giving these performance glasses their specific characteristics.

However, the essential requirements for these high performance glasses are still high transmittance, non-fading properties and optimal adhesion to the glass surface which determines the degree to which the integrity of a glass product is maintained in the event of a breakage. To ensure that these requirements are met, the determination of the film moisture content is critical as it determines the durability of the glass/PVB bond. Since the required value is less than 0,35% moisture content it presents challenges to conventional measurement techniques.

A moisture measurement technique which has proven itself over the years in this industry makes use of the Pier transmission photometers and the specific IR absorption spectrum characteristics of water. For this application, the absorption at near IR wavelengths (1930 nm) is directly proportional to the percentage moisture in the film. The film itself has an IR absorption spectrum of approximately 1750 nm, proportional to the film thickness. In order for the correct moisture content to be determined therefore, a correction factor has to be introduced to compensate for the thickness of the film.

These gauges thus measure both moisture content and film thickness in order for optimal quality control and to ensure that end user safety is not compromised and the optical clarity of the glass product is not impaired in any way. This translates into reduced numbers of rejects due to the formation of bubbles (too high moisture content) or the failure of the product to adhere to safety specifications (too low moisture content).



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