Infrared (IR) spectroscopy

Infrared spectroscopy is used to identify an unknown material by recording a fingerprint. The technique distinguishes the different functional groups within a molecule. Samples may vary from a small piece of a product (1 x 1 cm), to a powder (10 mg), or even contaminants of down to 500 μm diameter. For this kind of identification, PTG/e has an extensive database of IR-spectra. IR analysis is also an excellent method for comparing different material batches, since identical materials have an identical molecular fingerprint.