Material Analysis – Bulks and Surfaces
Ewingar Scientific have experience with FTIR ATR and reflection, Raman and Resonance Raman, micro-Raman, XPS spectroscopy, Australian Synchrotron FTIR and soft X-ray facilities, UV spectroscopy, Ellipsometry, ESR spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, wettability and surface tension, friction, micro and nano-hardness, tensile and bending tests, dynamical mechanical analysis, and thermogravimetrical analysis.
Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy
Ewingar Scientific conducts material analysis using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. FTIR offers a vast array of analytical opportunities in analytical, QA/QC, academic and forensic labs. Deeply ingrained in everything from simple compound identification to process and regulatory monitoring, FTIR covers a wide range of chemical applications, especially for polymers and organic compounds.
A number of accessories are available for FTIR analyses, including: multiple ATR with Ge and KRS-6 prisms, ATR flow cell, single reflection KRS-6 prism, and diffuse reflection. We can also anneal a material in a vacuum oven up to 250 0C under 0.1 Torr.
The Process
When IR radiation is passed through a sample, some radiation is absorbed by the sample and some passes through (is transmitted). The resulting signal at the detector is a spectrum representing a molecular ‘fingerprint’ of the sample. The usefulness of infrared spectroscopy arises because different chemical structures (molecules) produce different spectral fingerprints.
Examples of FTIR Spectra
FTIR ATR spectra of sub-monolayer (<5 nm) of protein molecule adsorbed on PDMS medical device.
Material Surface Spectra Analysis
A surface is different than its bulk. The surface is responsible for adhesion, wettability, friction, reflection, and many other functions. The importance of the surface of a composite material cannot be underestimated, as the overall functionality of the composite is dependent on the integrity its surface. Ewingar Scientific can analyse surface tension and wettability, surface chemistry, surface contamination, surface degradation and surface swelling. We analyse the surfaces of plastics, rubbers, organic materials, thin films, coatings, and other such materials.
FTIR ATR spectra of the bulk polyethylene film (blue) and surface contamination (green). The surface is contaminated with low molecular fractions, oil and oxidized substances.
As a result, the film has low adhesion.
FTIR ATR spectra of the bulk polyethylene film after being washed with detergent (blue) and surface residuals (green).
The surface is no longer contaminated, and, as a result, the film now has high adhesion.
Raman, UV, and XPS Spectroscopy
Ewingar Scientific also has access to state-of-the-art equipment to conduct Raman, UV, and XPS spectroscopy. These can be applied to various applications, including aerospace, air, land and sea-based technologies.
Raman spectra of A380 airplane panel to prove (or analyse) a completeness of the curing reaction.
Kinetics of chemical reaction with time: curing epoxy resin in composite panel for space application.