Deformulation, study of the chemical composition of formulas or materials

More than 120 people
More than 120 people at your service
5200 m² laboratory
5200 m² laboratory + 99% of services are provided in-house
Accredited laboratory
Accredited laboratory COFRAC ISO 17025
CIR
CIR Research tax credit

What is reverse engineering?

The deformation or “reverse engineering” of a commercial product, often made up of a complex mixture, consists of determining, through various chemical analyses, the nature and quantities of raw materials present in the formulation.

This application can be applied to different types of products, formulas and materials: paints, plastics (polymers), composites, metals and metal alloys, varnishes, etc.

In what context do industries need to check the chemical composition of products or materials?

Analyser et déterminer
Analyse and determine the composition of an unknown mixture
Contrôler
Check compliance with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or technical data sheet
Comparer
Comparing the composition of several products (double-sourcing or multi-sourcing)
Analyse des produits
Analysis of competing products
Analyser et identifier
Analyse and identify pollution or impurities
The success of deformation depends on a good understanding of the target application and the use of rigorous analysis methods to characterise the chemical composition of the organic and mineral fractions.
Deformation

Our services

We can carry out deformation in a very large number of cases:
Materials

The deformation of materials makes it possible to determine their composition, facilitating the improvement of existing materials and the development of new products. This analysis is essential in industries such as aerospace and automotive, where precise knowledge of materials contributes to performance and safety.

Glue

Adhesive deformation helps to understand the chemical composition and adhesion properties of adhesives used in various industrial applications. This analysis is common for sectors such as construction and electronics, where optimal adhesion is required to ensure the durability and reliability of assemblies.

Mix

Mixture deformation involves the analysis of complex formulations to identify and quantify components. This technique is particularly useful in industries where compliance with safety standards and product innovation are priorities.

Polymers

Polymer deformation enables polymer materials to be analysed to reveal their structure and additives. This knowledge is essential in the plastics industry to develop products that are stronger, lighter and more environmentally friendly.

Varnish

By deforming varnishes, laboratories can discover the resins, plasticisers and other components used. This type of analysis supports industries by ensuring the quality and durability, in particular, of surface finishes.

Composite

The deformation of composite materials helps to identify the matrices and reinforcements used, which is essential for sectors requiring high-performance materials, but also when lightness and strength are key characteristics.

Competing product

This type of reverse-engineering analysis enables companies to understand the formulations of competing products, providing an opportunity to optimise their own products or develop competitive alternatives. It is particularly valued in highly competitive sectors such as cosmetics and chemicals.

Active substance

The deformulation of active ingredients is essential for the pharmaceutical industry in particular, enabling the composition and mechanism of action of active substances to be understood. This analysis contributes to your innovation process and ensures regulatory compliance.

Pharmaceutical product

The analysis of pharmaceutical products through deformation helps to identify excipients and active agents, essential for guaranteeing the efficacy and safety of medicines, thus meeting strict regulatory requirements.

Elastomer

The deformation of elastomers details the composition and properties of these flexible materials, used by industries where durability and adaptability are essential, such as automotive and seal manufacturing. This analysis enables formulations to be refined to improve characteristics such as elasticity and resistance to extreme environmental conditions.

Silicone

Silicone deformation helps to identify the specific components and formulations of these versatile materials, which are essential for sectors requiring high performance and biocompatibility, such as medical and electronics. This analysis helps to optimise properties such as thermal resistance and flexibility, which are crucial to the development of safe, durable products. It also supports innovation and continuous improvement in silicone applications.

Rubber

The deformation of rubber reveals the components and additives used in its manufacture, offering valuable insights into improving the quality and performance of rubber products. This analysis is particularly important for the automotive industry, where high quality tyres are essential for safety and durability.

Our technical resources

Gas chromatography

(GCMS, HS-GC/MS, GC-FID, Py-GC/MS)

Infrared microscopy (IRTF)

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

Liquid Chromatography

LCMS, LC-UV, LC-QTOF, LC-CAD...

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

RAMAN Spectrometry

Karl Fischer

Discover our case study

How did FILAB help one of its customers understand the yellowing of a silicone?

Find out more
The filab advantages
A highly qualified team
A highly qualified team
Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests
Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
(Staves available on www.cofrac.com - Accreditation number: 1-1793)
A complete analytical park of 5,200m²
A complete analytical park of 5,200m²
Tailor-made support
Tailor-made support
Contact us
To find out more about these services, don't hesitate
to contact our team.
Anaïs DECAUX Customer Support Manager
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