MATERIALS.CO.UK
Metals • Plastics • Rubbers • Polymers • Ceramics • Composites
Metals • Plastics • Rubbers • Polymers • Ceramics • Composites
Metals • Plastics • Rubbers • Polymers • Ceramics • Composites • Coatings
  • materials.co.uk
  • materials.co.uk
  • materials.co.uk
  • materials.co.uk
  • materials.co.uk

Polymer Analysis

Inspiratech provides a rapid polymer analysis and identification service for the rubber and plastics industry.

The following materials are routinely analysed:

  • Thermoplastic plastics (eg nylon and polypropylene) and thermoplastic composites
  • Thermoset plastics (eg epoxy and phenolic) and thermoset composites
  • Rubbers
  • Fillers and fibres

Typical analytical methods include:

  • Spectroscopic analysis to identify polymer and rubber type - FTIR
  • Thermal analysis to identify thermal transitions, composition (% by weight) and polymer type - DSC, TGA
  • Electron microscopy to image sample structure and perform elemental analysis - SEM and EDS
  • Optical methods - optical microscopy, refractive index
  • Hardness - Shore

Identification is typically required for:

  • Failure analysis
  • Analysis of competitors' materials - reverse engineering
  • Confirmation of polymer supply
  • Product development
  • Analysis of suitable equivalent materials
  • Recycling
SEM

Etched polymer blend