Print this page

FTIR Microscopy at LPD Lab Services extends the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry capability particularly for identifying organic chemicals and materials to smaller samples and features in a whole range of applications, but can also characterise some inorganics. The laboratory FTIR Microscope that incorporates a number of unique tools including ATR imaging system that enables the collection of high resolution infrared images of extremely small samples or tiny localised contaminants to visualise the composition of materials based on FT-IR spectral data. ATR-FTIR mapping collects a spectrum for each pixel in the image. The image is created using the intensity at any IR wavelength or combination of wavelengths. This allows the distribution of chemical species to be seen allowing different compound location and types to be identified.

Example uses include paints, adhesives, resins, polymers, fibres, coatings and drugs. It is a particularly useful tool in isolating and characterising organic contamination.

Typical Applications of FTIR Microscopy and High Magnification ATR FTIR

• Analysis of adhesives, coatings and adhesion promoters or coupling agents.
• Small microscopic particle chemical analysis.
• Anlaysis of plastic pipe and fittings to dignose SSC or chemical attack. 
• Analysis of stains and surface blemishes remnant from cleaning and degreasing processes combined with optical microscopy, SEM/EDX, XPS, SIMS and pyrolysis GCMS techniques.
• Check for poor mixing and curing of 2 pack resins in adhesives and composite materials.
• Analysis of localised contaminants to diagnose the cause of paint coating blistering.
• Analysis of unknown solvents, cleaning agents and detergents.
• Localised degradation and oxidation of polymers and rubbers.
• Temperature dependent study of materials using the heated stage accessory.
• Analysis of tiny contaminants in pharmaceutical APIs.
• Contaminant particles in blood products.
• Contaminant particles in WFI water for injection.
• Contaminant polymer particles in a moulded component.
• Identifying specific fibres or particles in an inhalable dust.
• Microplastics in freshwater, sea water, soil and wastewater with pyrolysis GCMS.
• Checks for localised antiseptic chemical products and wipes Attack of rubbers and plastics in hospitals and the medical device industry.
• Analysis of spots of organic and grease contaminants on plastic and paint coatings.
• Cross-sectional analysis and imaging of different primer, top coat and clearcoat paint layers looking for missing layers, interface contaminants combined with SEM/EDX of filler materials.
• Checks for single or 2 phase polymer blends or phase segregation.

		FTIR Microscope, FTIR and NIR Spectrophotometer Instrument Details of the state of the art FTIR Microscope instrument, ATR-FTIR and NIR Spectrophotometer at LPD Lab Services for small and large sample analysis.

		Principles of FTIR and NIR Spectrophotometry and Preparation Capabilities of the FTIR technique, its principles based on chemical bond natural frequency of vibration. Details of sample preparation procedures used at LPD Lab Services to prepare solid, liquid and gas samples even when samples available are very small.