SDL Atlas F256A Moisture Regain Oven
| Brand | SDL Atlas |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | F256A |
| Price Range | USD 14,000 – 70,000 |
Overview
The SDL Atlas F256A Moisture Regain Oven is a precision-engineered thermal gravimetric instrument designed specifically for standardized moisture content and moisture regain determination in textile fibers, yarns, fabrics, and nonwovens. It operates on the principle of controlled hot-air drying followed by gravimetric mass loss measurement—fully compliant with core international textile testing standards including ASTM D2654, ISO 6741-1, GB/T 9995, and AATCC 20A. The system integrates a high-stability forced-convection drying chamber with an integrated ultra-low-drift analytical balance, enabling direct, real-time weight monitoring during desiccation. Unlike ambient-dry or vacuum-drying methods, the F256A employs calibrated, uniform airflow at precisely regulated temperatures (typically 105 °C ± 2 °C per ASTM/ISO protocols), ensuring reproducible evaporation kinetics across natural (cotton, wool, silk) and synthetic (polyester, nylon, acrylic) fiber types.
Key Features
- Forced-air convection drying chamber with digitally controlled heating elements and PID-based temperature regulation (range: ambient to 130 °C, stability: ±0.5 °C at 105 °C)
- Integrated high-precision electronic balance with 2100 g capacity and 0.01 g readability, mounted directly within the oven enclosure to eliminate handling-induced mass error
- Dedicated sample suspension basket with low-thermal-mass stainless-steel construction, connected via load-cell interface to the balance for continuous in-situ weighing
- Automatic endpoint detection algorithm: terminates drying when two consecutive weight readings (at user-defined intervals, e.g., 5–30 min) differ by ≤0.01 g—meeting ISO 6741-1 “constant mass” criteria
- Thermal insulation and airflow baffle design minimizing thermal gradients and ensuring uniform drying across multi-sample configurations
- CE-marked electrical architecture with overtemperature protection, door interlock safety switch, and EMI-shielded signal conditioning for balance stability
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The F256A accommodates standard textile test specimens—including raw fiber tufts (≥1 g), yarn skeins, fabric swatches (cut to ASTM D1776 dimensions), and technical textiles such as geotextiles and filtration media. Sample containers are supplied as perforated stainless-steel baskets conforming to ISO 6741 Annex A geometry requirements. All operational parameters—including drying temperature, dwell time, and endpoint tolerance—are configurable to align with method-specific requirements from ASTM, ISO, AATCC, and national standards (e.g., China’s GB/T 9995). The instrument supports full audit trail generation for GLP/GMP environments, with optional password-protected user access levels and timestamped event logging traceable to NIST-traceable calibration records.
Software & Data Management
While the base F256A operates via front-panel controls with real-time digital weight and temperature display, optional PC connectivity (RS-232 or USB) enables integration with SDL Atlas’ proprietary TextileLab™ software suite. This platform provides automated calculation of moisture content (% MC), moisture regain (% MR), and conditioned mass per ISO 6741-2; exports CSV/Excel reports with full metadata (operator ID, batch number, environmental RH/temp, calibration date); and maintains electronic records compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when configured with digital signatures and audit trail activation. Data integrity is reinforced through cyclic redundancy checks (CRC) on all transmitted weight packets and write-protected archive storage.
Applications
- Determination of equilibrium moisture regain in cotton, wool, and viscose for quality control and billing (e.g., “conditioned weight” invoicing per ASTM D2495)
- Validation of drying protocols prior to tensile, elongation, or abrasion testing (per ASTM D5034/D5035)
- Moisture profiling of blended fibers to verify composition consistency
- Research into hygroscopic behavior of novel bio-based fibers (e.g., lyocell, PLA, chitosan derivatives)
- Calibration reference for inline NIR moisture sensors used in spinning or weaving mills
- Supporting ISO/IEC 17025 accredited textile testing laboratories requiring documented uncertainty budgets for moisture measurement
FAQ
What standards does the F256A support out-of-the-box?
ASTM D2654, ISO 6741-1/-2, AATCC 20A, GB/T 9995, and JIS L1013 are preconfigured in operational defaults; custom protocols can be saved via front-panel programming.
Is the balance internally calibrated?
Yes—the integrated balance includes internal motorized calibration with traceable weights; external verification using Class M2 certified masses is recommended quarterly per ISO/IEC 17025.
Can multiple samples be dried simultaneously?
Up to four standard baskets (each holding ≤50 g fiber) may be loaded, provided total mass remains within the 2100 g limit and airflow distribution is verified per ISO 6741 Annex B.
Does the oven require external ventilation or exhaust ducting?
No—its sealed chamber and recirculating air path eliminate need for fume hoods; however, installation in a temperature-stable, low-humidity lab environment (<60% RH) is required for optimal repeatability.
How is temperature uniformity validated?
SDL Atlas supplies a 9-point NIST-traceable validation kit (thermocouple array + data logger) for annual chamber mapping per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.4.3.
