Compact NMR for Rubber Analysis

NMR provides information about rubber formulations from NMR spectra, about object shape from NMR images, and about cross-link density from NMR relaxation data. Conventional NMR equipment is bulky and expensive as super-conducting magnets with high field strength and very homogeneous fields are used. As of recently compact magnets from permanent magnet material are available for NMR relaxation analysis, imaging, and spectroscopy. Such equipment is comparatively inexpensive and without maintenance cost. As the magnets and the associated spectrometer electronics are small, the NMR devices are portable and can be carried along to the site of the investigation. The opportunities for rubber analysis provided by compact NMR are reviewed and illustrated by examples.