Hengping SP-100 Surface Tensiometer with Real-Time Curve Acquisition Software
| Brand | Hengping |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Model | SP-100 |
| Measurement Range | 0–400 mN/m |
| Resolution | ±0.1 mN/m |
| Accuracy | ±0.1 mN/m |
| Temperature Display Range | 0–400 °C |
| Temperature Display Accuracy | ±0.1 °C |
| Method | Du Noüy Ring & Wilhelmy Plate (Platinum) |
| Compliance | ASTM D971, ISO 6295, ISO 1409, GB/T 6541 |
Overview
The Hengping SP-100 Surface Tensiometer is a precision instrument engineered for static and dynamic surface and interfacial tension measurement using standardized force-balance methodologies—specifically the Du Noüy ring and Wilhelmy plate techniques. Based on the principle of measuring the maximum pull force exerted on a platinum ring or plate immersed at the liquid–air or liquid–liquid interface, the system delivers traceable, reproducible results in accordance with international standards including ASTM D971 (interfacial tension of oil against water), ISO 6295 (petroleum products), ISO 1409 (plastics), and GB/T 6541 (Chinese national standard for crude oil and petroleum products). The integrated real-time curve acquisition software transforms manual data logging into a fully digitized workflow, enabling continuous monitoring of tension evolution over time—critical for characterizing surfactant adsorption kinetics, emulsion stability, cleaning agent efficacy, and formulation aging behavior.
Key Features
- Simultaneous support for platinum ring and platinum plate methods—switchable via software configuration without hardware modification
- Real-time tension vs. time curve visualization with millisecond-level timestamp resolution
- Interactive plot interface: hover-to-read functionality displays exact tension value (mN/m) and corresponding elapsed time (s) at any point on the curve
- Independent horizontal (time-axis) zoom from 1× to 10× magnification for detailed kinetic analysis
- Vertical (tension-axis) scaling adjustment to resolve subtle changes across low- or high-tension regimes
- Auto-zero calibration routine prior to each test sequence to compensate for buoyancy and thermal drift
- Integrated temperature sensor with 0.1 °C resolution and range up to 400 °C—enabling temperature-controlled interfacial studies under thermostatic conditions
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The SP-100 accommodates aqueous solutions, organic solvents, polymer melts, crude oils, surfactant micellar systems, and immiscible liquid pairs (e.g., hydrocarbon/water, silicone oil/water). Its platinum components meet ISO 1409 requirements for inertness and surface cleanliness. All measurement protocols align with GLP-compliant documentation practices: every test record includes operator ID, date/time stamp, method selection, calibration history, ambient temperature, and raw force–displacement traces. Data export supports CSV and XML formats for integration into LIMS environments and FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant audit trails when deployed with validated software configurations.
Software & Data Management
The proprietary SP-Curve Acquisition Software provides a Windows-native interface compliant with Windows 10/11 (64-bit). It enables synchronized acquisition of tension, time, and temperature streams at user-defined sampling intervals (10–1000 ms). Each session generates a self-contained project file (.spc) containing metadata, raw curves, annotated measurement points, and operator notes. Historical datasets are indexed by date, sample ID, and method type; search filters support Boolean queries across multiple parameters. Export functions include publication-ready PNG/SVG plots, tabular CSV reports with SI units, and batch-mode extraction for statistical process control (SPC) analysis. Software validation documentation—including IQ/OQ protocols and version-controlled release notes—is available upon request for regulated laboratory environments.
Applications
- Kinetic profiling of surfactant adsorption at air–water interfaces (e.g., SDS, Tween series, biosurfactants)
- Interfacial tension decay analysis during spontaneous emulsification or microemulsion formation
- Quality control of industrial cleaners, agrochemical adjuvants, and pharmaceutical excipients
- Stability assessment of Pickering emulsions and nanoparticle-stabilized foams
- Temperature-dependent interfacial thermodynamics of heavy oil–alkali–surfactant–polymer (ASP) systems
- Educational demonstration of Gibbs adsorption isotherms and Marangoni flow phenomena
FAQ
Does the software support automated calculation of critical micelle concentration (CMC)?
Yes—the SP-Curve software includes a built-in CMC detection algorithm that identifies inflection points in tension–log(concentration) plots using second-derivative analysis, with manual override capability for borderline cases.
Can multiple users access shared measurement databases with role-based permissions?
When deployed on a networked Windows server with SQL Server backend, the software supports multi-user authentication and granular permission tiers (view-only, edit, admin) per project folder.
Is the platinum ring/plate certified for traceable calibration?
Each sensor is supplied with a factory calibration certificate referencing NIST-traceable reference liquids (e.g., ultra-pure water, diiodomethane), with optional annual recalibration services available through Hengping’s Shanghai metrology lab.
What operating system versions are officially supported?
Windows 10 Pro (22H2) and Windows 11 Enterprise (23H2) are validated; legacy support for Windows 7 SP1 is discontinued as of Q2 2024.
How is data integrity ensured during power interruption or unexpected shutdown?
The software implements automatic journaling: all unsaved curve segments are cached to non-volatile memory and recovered upon restart, preserving temporal continuity without interpolation gaps.
