Study on organic materials: IRTF spectrometry, Raman spectrometry, DSC, GC/MC, etc.

The study of organic materials by spectrometry and thermal analysis is a comprehensive approach for characterizing the composition, structure, and physicochemical behavior of polymers, resins, additives, and complex formulations. By combining several techniques—Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)—this analysis provides a detailed and multidimensional view of the material under study.

It is essential for players in the materials, packaging, polymers and coatings industry, who wish to guarantee the performance, compliance and durability of their products.

Principle and objectives of the study

This multifactorial study aims to identify, quantify, and characterize the organic components of a material, whether it be pure polymers, complex mixtures, or industrial formulations.
The main objectives are:

• Identify the chemical constituents (polymers, additives, fillers, plasticizers, resins, solvents, etc.);
• Verify the conformity and actual composition of a product in relation to its technical data sheet;
• Analyze the causes of failure (migration, delamination, yellowing, cracking, etc.);
• To study the effects of aging, temperature or humidity on organic materials;
• Control the quality and stability of formulations during product development or industrial monitoring.

Analytical methods used

The analysis is based on the complementarity of four main families of instruments:

• FTIR spectroscopy (Fourier Transform Infrared): the reference technique for identifying functional groups and chemical bonds in polymeric materials. It allows for determining the nature of the polymer (PE, PP, PET, PVC, etc.), detecting contaminants, and identifying oxidations.
• Raman spectroscopy: particularly effective for the analysis of crystalline polymers, pigments and fillers. It complements FTIR by providing detailed structural information.
• Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC): measures thermal transitions (melting, crystallization, Tg) and allows for the evaluation of thermal stability and polymer quality.
• Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS): used for the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, such as additives, plasticizers, solvents or monomer residues.

These techniques can be combined with complementary analyses, such as thermogravimetry (TGA) , scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or NMR spectrometry , in order to obtain a complete diagnosis of the material.

Industrial applications

Studies of organic materials are relevant to many sectors:

• Plastic and food packaging: verification of compliance with European regulations (REACH, EC 10/2011), detection of migrations or volatile contaminants;
• Technical materials and polymers: characterization of mixtures and copolymers, evaluation of thermal and chemical stability;
• Paints, inks and coatings: identification of resins, binders and solvents used;
• Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals: analysis of primary packaging and formulation/container interactions;
• Chemical industry and R&D: quality control of raw materials and innovative formulation studies.

Technical characteristics and reliability of results

Each technique used adheres to specific standards and protocols:

• FTIR according to ISO 10640 or ASTM E1252 ;
• Raman according to ISO 7064 ;
• DSC according to ISO 11357 ;
• GC-MS according to ISO 16000-6 or validated internal methods.

ISO 17025 accredited partner laboratories , guaranteeing reliable results, sample traceability, and procedural compliance.
Test reports provided by YesWeLab include spectra, chromatograms, and detailed interpretations, accompanied by scientific expertise to facilitate decision-making.

YesWeLab Expertise and Support

YesWeLab supports manufacturers, engineering firms, and laboratories in their organic material characterization . Thanks to an intuitive digital platform , you can easily upload your samples, track the progress of the analysis, and retrieve your results reports.

Our expert engineers will guide you towards the most relevant combination of techniques (FTIR, Raman, DSC, GC-MS) according to your problem: identification, quality control, regulatory compliance or product failure .

Further analyses recommended

For a complete characterization of materials and polymers, YesWeLab also offers:

• Thermal analysis (TGA, DSC)
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
• FTIR Infrared Spectroscopy
• Raman spectroscopy

These services enable a complete physico-chemical characterization and improve the reliability of understanding the behavior of organic materials, from their formulation to their aging.

Contact YesWeLab today to schedule your organic materials study or to obtain a personalized quote. Our experts will guide you from protocol definition to the interpretation of analytical results.