Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is an analytical technique used to identify andanalyze a wide variety of materials including polymers, elastomers, paints, coatings and other products. FTIR analysis identifies unique chemical bonds in a molecule and produces distinctivemolecular fingerprints that can be used to screen samples for many different components. While FTIR is frequently used for polymer and forensic analysis, the application of the technique is virtually limitless, offering both qualitative and quantitative analysis of a wide range of organic and inorganic samples.

Vollmer-Gray’s analytical laboratory is equipped with Thermo Fisher Nicolet iS50 FT-IR Advanced Spectrometer (with Built- in Diamond ATR Module) and The Continuum IR Microscope system. The spectrometer at Vollmer-Gray is set up to collect a spectrum from particles as small as 10 micros in size. Solid samples are usually prepared by shaving a piece of material off the sample that is thin enough to obtain a good spectrum. The analytical spectrum is then compared to tens of thousands of reference library spectra to identify components to find a “best match” for the unknown material.