Polymer Chemistry

EAG has significant expertise in polymer chemistry and offers a complete range of analyses for polymers and composites. We can provide analytical services from basic characterization of materials to investigations involving complex problems. Plastic materials can be found in a wide variety of industries, including medical devices, packaging, coatings, sporting goods, toys, industrial products, construction materials, consumer goods and more.

In our plastic testing labs, we use analytical instrumentation such as FTIR, TGA, DSC, mDSC, TMA, DMA, GPC, GC/MS, LC/MS, Optical Microscopy, NMR, SEM/EDS, XPS, TOF-SIMS and Pyrolysis-GC-MS. Our experts have years of experience designing technical projects and interpreting data to investigate challenges such as:

Deformulation (reverse engineering) of a competitor’s product
Establish root cause for product failures such as premature breakage
Investigate additives in a polymer sample
Polymer identification projects
Identification of suspected contaminated materials
Determine the source of malodor or the cause for unexpected color variations
Compare good vs. bad lots of samples to understand cause for differences in polymer chemistry

We have extensive experience in plastic and polymer analysis and processing. Our polymer and plastic testing experts have investigated a wide range of polymeric materials, including:

Thermoplastics
Thermosets
Elastomers
Rubbers
Composites
Polyurethanes
Single-layer and multi-layer films
Adhesives & sealants
Paints & coatings
Packaging
High-performance engineered polymers
Specialty polymers
Conductive polymers
Bio-polymers
Liquid crystal polymers
Resins

EAG’s polymer investigations focus on both the chemistry of these formulated products as well as evaluating their physical and mechanical properties. Depending on our clients’ needs, EAG can offer a strategic combination of physical and chemical testing to address specific questions. We apply multiple analytical techniques, such as spectroscopy, chromatography and microscopy to examine the composition of plastic and polymer products. ASTM testing lab methods are also available.

Physical and mechanical property testing can include:

Tensile, modulus and elongation
Adhesive strength
Compressibility
Cross-sectional multiple layer-film thickness
Thermal properties (including glass transition, melting point, thermal expansion and crystallinity)

Chemical composition analyses can include:

Chemical classification including base polymer characterization and polymer identification
Molecular weight distribution by GPC
Total molecular weight (including absolute and high temperature) by GPC
End group analysis
Co-polymer backbone chemistry, co-monomer contents/ratios, polymer blends
Additive identification including anti-oxidants, UV stabilizers, process aids, fillers

For testing polymeric materials projects, please call 1 800 366 3867.