FTIR Testing (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy)

Companies in all industries are seeking ways to determine precise material composition, identify contaminants and provide better quality control when it comes to their products. FTIR makes precision in that pursuit possible.

Innovatech Labs uses FTIR Testing (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) as a materials analysis and characterization technique to identify organic (and in some cases inorganic) materials. This technique is used to:

• Identify unknown materials

• Identify and/or quantify surface contamination on a material

• Identify additives in a polymer, when they can be chemically removed, e.g. solvent extraction.

FTIR Testing is the preferred material analysis technique. One reason is because of the speed and simplicity of process. It is also a particularly precise tool for identifying material and enhancing quality control.

FTIR measures the range of wavelengths in the infrared region that are absorbed by a material. This is accomplished through the application of infrared radiation (IR) to samples of a material. The sample's absorbance of the infrared light's energy at various wavelengths is measured to determine the material's molecular composition and structure.

The patterns of absorption bands at the different wavelengths throughout the infrared region are unique to each substance. These infrared absorption bands identify molecular components and structures. Absorption bands in the range of 4000 - 1500 wavenumbers are typically due to functional groups (e.g. -OH, C=O, N-H, CH3, etc.). The region between 1500 - 400 wavenumbers is referred to as the fingerprint region. Absorption bands in this region are generally due to intra-molecular phenomena, and are highly specific for each material. These very specific signals are decoded by applying a mathematical technique called Fourier transformation. This process produces a computer-generated mapping of the spectral information. The resulting graph is used to search against reference libraries for identification of the material.

The specificity of these bands allows computerized data searches to be performed against reference libraries to identify a material.

FTIR testing can also provide:

• Precise measurements

• Analysis without harm to the sample

• Sample information collection at high speed

The samples as small as 10 microns can be analyzed via FTIR.  The tiny sample size allows for cost effective identification of particles, residues, films or fibers. FTIR testing can also measure levels of oxidation or degrees of cure in some polymers as well as measuring the level of contaminants or additives.

Unknown materials are identified by searching the spectrum against a database of reference spectra.  Materials can be quantified using the FTIR materials characterization technique as long as a standard curve of known concentrations of the component of interest can be created.

Learn more about FTIR Testing (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) by contacting analytical laboratory Innovatech Labs online or by calling one of our highly trained analysts 888-740-LABS (5227).