Typical contamination testing and identification projects have involved off-odor/flavor investigations, off-color problems, or foreign particles in a product. Some sources of contaminants have been from the environment, from improper storage of the product, or due to poor quality raw materials. We work closely with our clients to trace the source of contamination and develop a realistic corrective action program.
Listed below are many different types of contamination and potential techniques of interest to address them. The type of contamination can very much determine whether the technique used is successful. In some cases a combination of techniques may be needed, particularly if little is known about the contamination or if it is a mixture of components.
- Particles: SEM, EDS, Auger, FTIR, Raman, TOF-SIMS
- Residues: Auger, FTIR, XPS, TOF-SIMS
- Discoloration/stains: XPS, Auger, TOF-SIMS, FTIR
- Haze: SEM, AFM, OP, TOF-SIMS, XPS
- Layer: SEM-EDS, XPS, Auger, SIMS, TOF-SIMS
- Bulk: XPS, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, GDMS, XRF, FTIR
- Odor: GCMS