Polymer Solutions Incorporated :: We Solve Problems.

ISO-17025 Accredited | cGMP Compliant
FDA Registered | DEA Licensed

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Custom Polymer Synthesis Chromatography

Physical Testing

Thermal Analysis

Dilute Solution Viscosity Extractions & Digestions

Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) / Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Gas Chromatography Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) Headspace Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (Headspace GC/MS)

Scanning Electron Microscopy / Energy Dispersive Xray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) Optical Microscopy Optical Birefringence Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Image Analysis

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES)

Durometer Specific Gravity & Density Determination Tensile (Film, Plastic, Rubber) Flex (3 & 4 Point Bend) Compression Custom Fixture Development Melt Flow Index (MFI)

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) Rheology

Solvent Extractions Chemical and Thermal Digestion

Potentiometric Karl Fischer Halide Analysis

Research & Development Medical Product Testing Deformulation & Competitor Product Analysis Failure Analysis Custom Method Development & Testing Contamination Analysis Quality Control Assurance Routine Testing Services Polymer Structure Analysis Comparative Analysis Molecular Weight Analysis Additives Analysis Extractables & Leachables Analysis Material Certification & Qualification Aging & Chemical Resistance Testing Compounded Polymer Analysis Depth Profiling and Surface Analysis

Litigation Support Expertise

Additives Analysis Counterfeit Plastic Defect Identification Stolen Formulations

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Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrograph

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Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrograph and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum

Contamination Analysis

The presence of fissures, voids and inclusions may alter the aesthetic and functional performance of products. It is critical that these contaminants be isolated and identified quickly, so that sources can be traced and corrective actions implemented.

How can we help?

We have over 165 years of combined polymer science experience dedicated to solving your problem. We can analyze the contamination of:

Plastic parts

Optical films

Molded products

Adhesives

Substrates

Formulated compositions

Other manufactured products

Work We've Done

Plastic Mold Inclusions

Organic inclusions as small as 0.005" can be identified using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). In a recent case, we used spectroscopy to obtain a speck of plastic that was in a molded sample. A difference in chemical composition between the defect and the neighboring matrix material was obvious from the spectra. By comparing the mold spectra against a reference spectra and then the defect spectra against a reference spectra, we were able to determine that the defect was for a polycarbonate.

Extruded Vinyl Inclusions

Inorganic inclusions, 0.0005" or even smaller, can be identified using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Recently, we helped identify an inclusion in an extruded vinyl product. The defect was only about 0.0001 inches in diameter. Using Spectroscopy, we determined that the particulate contaminant was composed primarily of silica, calcium and magnesium. This information allowed the plastics producer to identify the specific raw material that was responsible for the contamination.

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