Added
value
to your
innovation
Added
value
to your
innovation
Services
PTG/e can be an extension of your in-house R&D. Whether it is contract research or simply the analysis of a material, you can count on us for professional support. We take a pragmatic approach, which translates into short communication lines internally and regular contact between our researchers and the customer. In this way we can monitor project progress and steer the process as needed.
Our services include organising postdoc-level open courses. And thanks to our large network of lecturers, we are also able to offer (in-house) courses tailored to your specific needs.
Research & innovation
Need an experienced partner to complement your in-house R&D from time to time? For example when you are short of capacity or do not have the necessary material expertise in house?
PTG/e is fully equipped to take on a variety of tasks.
Also for shorter term projects, PTG/e is your partner. Comparison of raw materials, material identification or a quick literature scan – these are just a few of the services that PTG/e can perform for you.
Courses
With access to a wide network of (own) experts in many areas of chemistry, PTG/e is excellently placed to help you expand your knowledge of polymers. We are organizing customized company specific courses, as well as open PTN courses.
Publications
Gold or Fool’s Gold? Looking Beyond the Surface with SEM-EDX
- Cases
During historic gold rushes, many hopeful prospectors celebrated finding gold, only to discover later that their treasure was actually pyrite, better known as “fool’s gold”. The mistake was understandable: the two can look remarkably similar at first glance. Today, however, analytical techniques such as SEM-EDX allow us to look beyond appearance and determine exactly what a material is made of.
At PTG Eindhoven, we use Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) combined with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) to reveal the structure and chemistry of materials in exceptional detail. Whether it’s identifying contamination, investigating failures, or even distinguishing real gold from “fool’s gold” (pyrite), SEM-EDX helps us answer questions that go far beyond what can be seen with the naked eye.
SEM provides high-resolution images of a material’s surface and microstructure, while EDX determines its elemental composition. Together, they allow us to identify different phases, map elemental distributions, and detect subtle compositional differences.
A great example is lazurite, a naturally complex stone containing several mineral phases. Using SEM-EDX elemental mapping, we can clearly distinguish the blue lazurite-rich regions from pyrite inclusions, by displaying each element with a distinct color. Pyrite is commonly known as “fool’s gold” because its metallic luster and golden color can easily be mistaken for real gold. While they may appear similar, SEM-EDX quickly reveals the difference: pyrite is rich in iron and sulfur, whereas gold consists almost entirely of elemental gold. The lazurite-rich regions, in contrast, contain predominantly silicon, magnesium, and calcium, allowing them to be clearly separated from the surrounding mineral phases. This ability to distinguish visually similar materials based on their chemistry highlights the strength of SEM-EDX as a tool for material identification and characterization.
SEM-EDX is widely used for mineral and metal analysis but is equally valuable for polymers and composites. At PTG Eindhoven, we apply this technique to identify fillers, assess glass fiber distribution, investigate contaminations, analyze coating cross-sections, and characterize unknown particles or metal alloys. By combining advanced analysis with expert interpretation, we translate complex data into clear insights that help explain material performance, processing behavior, and failure mechanisms.
With a broad range of electron microscopy techniques available, we are able to tackle many complex material challenges. Interested in finding out what SEM-EDX can reveal about your materials? We’d be happy to discuss how our expertise can support your project.
NEW Micro-Injection Molding Machine
- News
We are pleased to announce the installation of a new BOY XS micro-injection molding machine at PTG Eindhoven.
The BOY XS complements our existing lab-scale polymer processing facilities and enhances our ability to produce high-quality test specimens using minimal material quantities. Its 8 cc shot volume enables efficient processing when only limited amounts of material are available, while its maximum processing temperature of 400 °C supports materials ranging from standard thermoplastics to high-performance polymers such as PEEK and PEI.
The machine’s rotating gate mold system enables the production of tensile bars, impact bars, and optical disks, supporting a broad range of testing and characterization activities.
With this addition, PTG Eindhoven continues to invest in advanced processing capabilities to support research, development, and industrial innovation in polymer materials.
Contact us to discover the possibilities!
FT‑IR Spectroscopy Explained: Curing Analysis
- News
Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a powerful technique used to analyse materials and monitor chemical reactions in real time. In this video, we demonstrate how FT‑IR can be used to follow the curing of coatings—highlighting key spectral changes as reactions progress.
IR spectroscopy enables material identification through comparison with spectral databases, and different measurement modes, such as transmission, expand its versatility. For more advanced applications, we can combine FT‑IR with TGA or GC‑MS for deeper compositional analysis.
Contact us to learn more about how IR spectroscopy can support your applications!
