HATFIELD, PA-Laboratory Testing Inc. (LTI) continues to expand its line of materials testing services with the recent addition of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) services. FTIR is an analytical technique used to identify organic, polymeric and in some cases, inorganic materials. LTI is performing the analyses with a high-tech Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS10 FT-IR spectrometer.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis results in an absorption spectra, which provides information about the chemical bonds and molecular structure of a material. Absorbance peaks provide information that can be used to identify the general types of material being analyzed. The analytical spectrum can be compared with catalogued reference spectra to identify base polymers and additives.

FTIR analysis compliments the wide-range of instrumental and wet chemistry services performed in the chemistry lab at LTI for materials characterization and failure analysis. In addition to identification of polymers by FTIR, qualitative and quantitative element analysis, even at trace levels, is available for a variety of materials including metals, powdered metals, ores, ferroalloys, composites and ceramics. Laboratory Testing Inc. is fully capable of preparing test specimens for all analysis.