Polymer testing and characterization
Would you like to have your polymer materials assessed?
What is a polymer material?
A polymer material is made up of long chains of molecules. Polymers can be natural, such as cellulose or silk, or synthetic, such as polyethylene, PVC or nylon.
Polymers are characterised by their flexibility and ability to be moulded into a variety of shapes, giving them a wide range of industrial applications. They are widely used in the packaging industry ( plastic films, bottles, food containers), in the automotive industry (light, strong parts, tyres, coatings, insulation), and in the construction sector (windows, pipes, thermal insulation, floor coverings). They are also essential in the electronics industry for insulation, cable coatings and connectors.
What is polymer characterization?
Polymer characterization involves assessing and understanding their physical, chemical and mechanical properties. This analysis aims to determine the molecular structure, composition, viscosity, strength and other characteristics of polymers.
By using material characterization techniques such as infrared spectroscopy, chromatography, rheology and microscopy, polymer characterization provides a better understanding of polymer behaviour in various environments and conditions.
This information forms the basis for the development of new polymers, the optimisation of polymer performance or manufacturing processes and the quality control of finished products.
FILAB supports you in the expertise of your polymer materials
The polymer expertise of the FILAB laboratory
Compliance and standards for polymer materials
In France, the use of polymers in materials, particularly those in contact with food or used in the medical field, is regulated by several standards and regulations designed to ensure product safety and compliance. Contact FILAB, a polymer expert laboratory, to learn more.
For example, in the food industry, polymers intended for packaging must comply with ANSES guidelines for food contact. In the automotive industry, polymers are evaluated according to ISO standards for their strength and performance.
Here are other ISO standards related to polymer materials:
ISO 527 for tensile tests on plastics
ISO 10993 for the identification and quantification of degradation products of polymer components in medical devices
NF T 54-501: Specific French standard for assessing the biodegradability of plastics in a controlled composting environment, for biodegradable polymers used in packaging, for example
ISO 10640 to assess accelerated ageing
REACH : Although REACH is a European regulation, it is fully applicable in France and imposes strict obligations to ensure the safety of chemical substances, including polymers
Research & Development applied to polymers
Our laboratory, at the forefront of research and development for polymer materials, offers innovative services tailored to various industries.
Thanks to our advanced expertise and technical resources, we are able to conduct research on synthesis, polymer identification, polymer characterization, and polymer improvement, enabling industries to optimize their production processes and innovate in their choice of materials.
Thus, we help our industrial partners develop stronger, more sustainable, and more environmentally friendly polymers, meeting specific needs such as improved thermal resistance, flexibility, and biocompatibility.
Why use a laboratory with polymer expertise?
Laboratory testing of polymers helps ensure the quality and performance of the materials used.
Polymer materials are often subjected to a variety of stresses throughout their life cycle, ranging from extreme thermal variations to chemical exposure to mechanical stress.
These factors can lead to various types of polymer-specific failures, such as UV degradation, stress cracking, and accelerated aging. These issues can not only affect the appearance of polymers but also compromise their structural and functional integrity, leading to safety risks.
Therefore, implementing rigorous quality control and conducting laboratory polymer analyses are essential to ensure the reliability and durability of these materials.
Ainsi, l'instauration d'un contrôle de qualité rigoureux et la réalisation d'analyses de polymère en laboratoire sont essentielles pour assurer la fiabilité et la durabilité de ces matériaux.
The composition of polymers
Polymer composition is a fundamental parameter examined during polymer characterization. It largely determines their functional properties, performance, and ability to meet the requirements of various industrial environments. A polymer is made up of long chains of repeating molecules, but it can also contain additives, fillers, or plasticizers, which influence its mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties.
At FILAB, we offer in-depth analyses to determine the exact composition of your polymers. Using techniques such as infrared spectroscopy (FTIR/IRTF), chromatography (GC-MS, HPLC), and thermogravimetry (TGA), we identify the monomers, additives, and impurities present, ensuring that your materials meet the quality and performance standards required by your industry. View all the polymer analysis offered by our polymer expertise laboratory.
FAQ
Polymer characterization involves studying the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of polymers to determine their composition, structure, morphology and thermodynamic properties. It involves the use of various techniques to study the structure and properties of polymer materials, in order to understand how they work and how they can be improved. Polymer characterisation therefore focuses on analysing the overall properties of the polymer, such as tensile strength, elasticity, wear resistance, hardness and chemical resistance. The aim of characterisation is to understand how the polymer behaves in different situations and environments.
The physico-chemical characterization of polymers is an important method for understanding how plastics and similar materials work, and how they can be improved. This technique can be used to determine the properties and composition of polymers, such as their impact resistance, rigidity, melting point or decomposition point. The physico-chemical characterisation of polymers is essential for understanding their structure and properties, which is crucial for the development of new polymer materials and for improving the properties of existing polymers.
In summary, the physico-chemical characterisation of polymers makes it possible to:
- Understand the quality and properties of finished products that can be used in various industries
- Understand the mechanical properties, structure, chemical composition and ageing conditions of polymers in finished products
- Identify defects in finished products and problems causing production failures.
Improve your production process and product quality now with polymer characterisation.
A wide range of techniques are used to characterise polymers:
- infrared spectroscopy (FTIR),
- fluorescence spectroscopy,
- X-ray diffraction (XRD),
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM),
- differential scanning calorimetry (DSC),
- thermogravimetry (TGA),
- and gas chromatography (GC).
To characterise the composition of a polymer, it is essential to identify your precise needs: determining the chemical structure, detecting additives or checking compliance with standards.
Next, you need to select a specialist laboratory with the expertise and equipment required to characterise polymers, such as infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), chromatography or mass spectrometry.
Having a polymer tested in a laboratory guarantees the quality and performance of the materials used. Calling on a laboratory with expertise in polymers not only ensures that strict quality and regulatory standards are met, but also enables innovation in the development of new materials.
Polymer materials are often subjected to a variety of stresses throughout their life cycle, from extreme thermal variations to chemical exposure to mechanical stress.
These factors can lead to various types of failure specific to polymers, such as UV degradation, stress cracking and accelerated ageing. These problems can not only affect the appearance of polymers but also compromise their structural and functional integrity, leading to safety risks.
Rigorous quality control and laboratory analysis of polymers are therefore essential to ensure the reliability and durability of these materials.
To find out more
Here is a table summarising the different types of polymer, their main characteristics and their industrial applications:
| Type of polymer | Characteristics | Industrial applications |
| Polyethylene (PE) | Lightweight, impact-resistant, waterproof | Packaging, film, containers |
| Polypropylene (PP) | Rigidity, fatigue resistance, heat resistance | Automotive, textiles, food packaging |
| Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) | Rigidity, chemical resistance, durability | Piping, flooring, cables |
| Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Chemical resistance, clarity, heat resistance | Bottles, packaging, textile fibres |
| Polystyrene (PS) | Rigidity, electrical insulation, lightness | Packaging, household appliances, electronic components |
| Polyamides (Nylon) | High mechanical strength, heat resistance, wear resistance | Gears, automotive parts, textiles |
There are different types of polymer.
- Thermoplastic polymers: These polymers can be melted and moulded several times, making them particularly suitable for applications requiring shaping by injection or extrusion. Examples include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
- Thermosetting polymers: Once cured, these polymers do not melt under the effect of heat. They are used in applications requiring high stability and highthermal resistance . Examples: epoxy, phenol-formaldehyde (bakelite) and urea-formaldehyde.
- Elastomers : These polymers have the ability to stretch to lengths much greater than their original size and return to their original shape once the stress is removed. Examples include natural rubber, nitrile rubber and silicone.
- Synthetic fibres: These polymers are mainly used in the textile industry, such as in the manufacture of clothing. Examples include nylon, polyester and acrylic.
- Biopolymers: derived from biological sources, these polymers are increasingly popular because of their biodegradability and durability. They play a key role in the development of environmentally-friendly materials. Examples include polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and cellulose.
Each polymer family has unique characteristics that make it suitable for specific applications, underlining the importance of careful analysis when choosing a material for a given project.
For example, in the automotive industry, where the durability and strength of polymer materials are essential for components such as bumpers, dashboards and interior linings, thermal analyses can be carried out to test the polymer's resistance to high temperatures and prolonged exposure to sunlight.
In the medical industry, where polymers are used to manufacture a variety of devices such as catheters or sterile packaging, biocompatibility testing is essential to ensure that materials do not cause adverse reactions in the human body.
Similarly, in the packaging industry, permeability tests can be carried out to assess a polymer's ability to protect the contents from moisture or gases, particularly for food preservation.
