25 Mar Essential Tests for Accurate Material Identification
Essential Tests for Accurate Material Identification
Thermoplastics are versatile materials with a wide range of applications. Proper identification of thermoplastics requires a series of tests to fully determine their chemical composition, physical properties, and performance characteristics. Below is a list of tests we commonly perform when a customer asks us to identify a polymer.
- Density Test:
- Thermoplastics have characteristic densities. Measuring the density can help narrow down the possible materials. This test doesn’t identify a material on its own; however, we utilize it as more of a confirmation of what other tests below suggest a material may be.
- Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR):
- Identifies the chemical structure and functional groups present in the material. This test helps us identify which material family the sample belongs to (i.e., Polypropylene, Nylon). However, it cannot distinguish between the sub-families (Homopolymer/Copolymer).
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC):
- DSC is used to measure the thermal behavior of the polymer and the various transitions, such as melting point and glass transition temp (Tg). Each thermoplastic has a distinct thermal profile, and when used in combination with the FTIR, these two tests characterize the base polymer quite nicely.
- Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA):
- This test measures weight loss as a function of temperature to determine decomposition temperatures and filler content.
Proper thermoplastic identification often requires a combination of these tests, depending on the level of accuracy and detail required. These four are our go-to tests that provide quick insights into identifying a polymer, while other advanced chemical and analytical methods can offer further precise identification at the component level if needed.
Navigating the complexities of polymer identification can be challenging. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for reliable assistance in your thermoplastic identification journey!