Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) is a molecular characterization technique that provides information about the chemical make up of materials. The FT-IR technique provides a rapid means of identifying substances, characterizing contaminants, and comparing materials. The technique is applicable to a broad range of samples including polymer systems.

Examples

• The FT-IR spectrum of a plastic adhesive layer from a carpet pad quickly revealed that the polymer was polyethylene and that the material also contained a small amount of a co-polymer of ethylene-acrylic acid.

• FT-IR analysis of an unknown and unexpected coating on a metal sample after a routine heat treatment showed the presence of an inorganic carbonate and a hydrocarbon residue, possibly from oil or grease.

• Two polyurethane elastomers were compared by FT-IR in order to determine if they were composed of the same material. In this case, the materials were found to be different because the ratios of functional groups of the glycols were obviously different.