The IGAsorp is a fully automated gravimetric analyser dedicated to the study of moisture sorption in materials. The concentration of moisture retained in a sample at a given relative humidity & temperature is determined with an ultra-sensitive microbalance.

Almost all materials interact with moisture present in the atsmosphere. In all areas of industry whether it be manufacturing, processing or packaging it is vital that this behaviour is understood. The moisture sorption properties of such materials must be characterised for the environmental conditions to which they are exposed to avoid costly spoiling & wastage.

The interaction is most commonly characterised by the percentage weight content of moisture retained in the material at a given relative humidity (%-RH) & temeprature. Measurement of such isotherms over a range of temperature characterise the material for defined environmental conditions. The IGA SORP performs precisely this function in an accurate reproducible manner which allows for a rapid consistent comparision of materials. In addition the IGA SORP method determines the kinetics of the sorption / desorption process which is useful in the determination of rate constants for such studies as shelf-life determination & drying. In essence, the IGA SORP is a vital tool in understanding the moisture sorption properties of materials.

At the heart of the system is an ultra-sensitive microbalance which measures the weight change as the humidity is changed in the sample chamber at a constant regulated temperature.

The humidity is measured by a sensor placed in the sample chamber close to the sample. Humidity is changed & controlled, by relative mixing of wet & dry gas streams, to desired RH set-point. During this stage the weight signal is analysed to determine when the uptake has reached the new equilibrium value. Once equilibrium has been attained the next desired humidity level is set. This process is automatically perform the desorption isotherm measurement in a similar manner.