16.11: Polymer Identification
- Page ID
- 36515
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There are a number of methods of identifying an unknown polymer, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR produces a spectrum which can be used like a fingerprint and compared against a database of known spectra.
Lab equipment for techniques such as FTIR is expensive. The following application details a series of tests which can be can be carried out without expensive equipment, using basic materials found in a laboratory.