Polymer materials analysis laboratory

A polymer analysis laboratory allows you to understand the composition, structure and properties of your materials. This helps you verify quality, identify impurities or contaminants, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Whether for quality control or the development of new products, FILAB’s expertise helps optimise your performance and ensure the safety of your polymer materials.

The tests carried out at FILAB, a laboratory specialising in polymer analysis, may include:

• Chromatography (GC-MS, HPLC) to identify additives and contaminants
• Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyse chemical composition
• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to measure thermal stability
• Tensile and flexural tests to assess mechanical properties
  These analyses enable you to characterise your polymers and ensure that they meet your technical and industrial requirements.

Polymer analyses concern many industrial sectors, including:

• Automotive industry: to verify the strength and durability of plastic parts.
• Medical: to ensure that polymer-based medical devices are safe and comply with standards.
• Packaging: to guarantee the quality and safety of food and industrial packaging.
• Aerospace: to ensure that polymer materials withstand mechanical and thermal stresses.

FILAB, a polymer analysis laboratory, can help you optimize your materials by conducting formulation studies and identifying solutions to improve the mechanical, thermal or chemical properties of your polymers. By detecting potential failures and proposing composition adjustments, we help you create higher-performing, more resistant materials.

The main methods used in a polymer analysis laboratory include:

• Gas chromatography (GC-MS) for identifying volatile organic compounds
• Electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) for analysing structures at the microscopic scale
• Raman spectroscopy for identifying molecular structure
• Calorimetric analysis (DSC) for assessing thermal transitions
  These methods ensure accurate results for a better understanding of your polymer materials.

FILAB is an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory with extensive expertise in polymer analysis and characterisation. We offer customised services to meet the specific needs of your industry. Our state-of-the-art equipment and qualified experts enable us to provide fast, reliable results, ensuring that your materials meet the strictest standards.

FILAB carries out comprehensive analyses to identify and characterise microplastics present in different types of samples. The techniques used, such as Raman microspectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) and OECD tests 120 and 301, make it possible to determine the polymer composition, morphology, size and environmental behaviour of plastic particles.

An organic polymer chemistry laboratory offers comprehensive analyses to identify, characterise and test your materials.

This includes FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis (DSC, TGA, DMA), chromatography (GPC/SEC), NMR, electron microscopy (SEM) and ageing tests for your polymers. It is a laboratory dedicated to industrial companies.

Using a plastics analysis laboratory enables you to:

• determine the chemical composition (additives, residual solvents, plasticisers, heavy metals, etc.)
• identify impurities, contaminants or defects;
• characterise thermal, mechanical and surface properties;
• conduct formulation studies to optimise your plastic materials.

Criteria to consider when choosing a good laboratory:

• ISO 17025 accreditation or recognised accreditation;
• a laboratory dedicated to polymer expertise and analysis;
• modern analytical equipment (GC-MS, FTIR, DSC, SEM, GPC, etc.);
• the ability to carry out all stages in-house (to ensure reliability);
• responsiveness, adherence to deadlines and support in interpreting results.

FILAB meets these criteria: a COFRAC ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, with more than 99% of its services carried out in-house.

We offer analyses tailored to the objective:

• Chemical analyses (GC-MS, HPLC, Py-GCMS, ICP, etc.) to detect additives, solvents and impurities;
• Thermal characterisation (DSC, TGA, TGA, DMA, etc.) to assess stability, transitions and degradation;
• Surface and morphology analyses (SEM, EDX, microscopy, porosity);
• Mechanical testing (tensile, flexural);
• Extractables/leachables studies (container-content interaction);
• Deformulation (decomposition of a formulation to determine the nature of its components);
• Degradation, ageing or failure studies.

Depending on your needs, we define the most appropriate protocol with you.

FILAB works with a wide range of polymers: PE, PP, PET, PVC, PTFE, resins, composites, copolymers, elastomers, silicones, bio-based materials, etc.

We adapt analytical methods according to the nature of the material.

ISO 17025 accreditation guarantees that the laboratory has demonstrated competence, impartiality and reliability in its measurement methods. It also ensures the traceability of results. FILAB is ISO 17025 accredited by COFRAC.

The polymer is the basic macromolecule (chemical structure), whereas plastic is the final material developed from the polymer and additives, and transformed through industrial processes (extrusion, injection moulding, moulding, etc.).

Polymers are used in complex environments: heat, humidity, solvents, mechanical stresses, and food or medical contact.

Our polymer laboratory studies these multiple interactions to guarantee material reliability under real-world conditions of use. Our specialised services include:

• Migration studies (organic fluids, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals),
• Combined UV/thermal ageing with FTIR-ATR monitoring to detect oxidation,
• Permeability measurement (O₂, CO₂, H₂O) according to ASTM standards,
• Assessment of polymer/active substance compatibility (pharmaceutical packaging),

Monitoring of chemical degradation using NMR and chromatography.

The FILAB polymer laboratory conducts mechanical, thermal and chemical testing tailored to the needs of companies in the plastics, automotive, construction and packaging industries.

Our services include:

• the comprehensive characterization of polymers and composites, measurement of mechanical and rheological properties,
• durability and accelerated aging tests, and the detection of additives, impurities or contaminants.

We provide tailor-made technical support to help your R&D teams better understand their materials and ensure lasting performance.
Choosing a laboratory specializing in polymers means investing in reliability and innovation.

Using a plastics analysis laboratory enables you to:

• determine the chemical composition (additives, residual solvents, plasticisers, heavy metals, etc.)
• identify impurities, contaminants or defects;
• characterise thermal, mechanical and surface properties;
• conduct formulation studies to optimise your plastic materials.

The criteria to consider when choosing a good laboratory:

• ISO 17025 accreditation or recognized accreditation;
• a laboratory dedicated to polymer expertise and analysis;
• modern analytical equipment (GC-MS, FTIR, DSC, SEM, GPC, etc.);
• the ability to perform all stages in-house (to ensure reliability);
• responsiveness, adherence to deadlines, and support with result interpretation.

FILAB meets these criteria: a COFRAC ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, with more than 99% of its services performed in-house.

We offer analyses tailored to the objective:

• Chemical analyses (GC-MS, HPLC, Py-GCMS, ICP, etc.) to detect additives, solvents and impurities;
• Thermal characterisation (DSC, TGA, TGA, DMA, etc.) to assess stability, transitions and degradation;
• Surface and morphology analyses (SEM, EDX, microscopy, porosity);
• Mechanical testing (tensile, flexural);
• Extractables/leachables studies (container-content interaction);
• Deformulation (decomposition of a formulation to determine the nature of its components);
• Degradation, ageing or failure studies.

Depending on your needs, we define the most appropriate protocol with you.

FILAB works with a wide range of polymers: PE, PP, PET, PVC, PTFE, resins, composites, copolymers, elastomers, silicones, bio-based materials, etc.

We adapt analytical methods according to the nature of the material.

ISO 17025 accreditation guarantees that the laboratory has demonstrated competence, impartiality and reliability in its measurement methods. It also ensures the traceability of results. FILAB is ISO 17025 accredited by COFRAC.

The polymer is the basic macromolecule (chemical structure), whereas plastic is the final material developed from the polymer and additives, and transformed through industrial processes (extrusion, injection moulding, moulding, etc.).

Polymers are used in complex environments: heat, humidity, solvents, mechanical stresses, and food or medical contact. 

Our polymer laboratory studies these multiple interactions to ensure material reliability under real-life conditions. Our specific services include:

• Migration studies (organic fluids, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals),
• Combined UV / thermal aging with FTIR-ATR monitoring to detect oxidation,
• Permeability measurement (O₂, CO₂, H₂O) according to ASTM standards,
• Assessment of polymer / active substance compatibility (pharmaceutical packaging),

Monitoring of chemical degradation by NMR and chromatography.