Polymer Chemical Characterization
Smithers delivers a complete portfolio of analysis at its rubber and plastic testing labs to support a wide range of industry sectors.
What is GC-MS? | Exploring unknown compounds in polymers
If you are using a new material or have faced an issue with a polymer, it is likely you will want to find out more about the plastic or rubber materials you are using and eliminate any unknowns.
Gas chromatography (GC) is an analytical technique ideal for the separation of smaller volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds.
When coupled with a mass spectrometer (MS), this technique has the ability to support with identifying and quantifying trace levels of analytes in complex mixtures. GC-MS can be used to analyse a wide range of liquid, solid, and gaseous sample types.
Smithers materials chemistry experts use GC-MS to perform targeted analysis as well as non-targeted (screening) analysis of plastic and rubber materials, making it a useful starting point for identification of unknown compounds or contaminants.
When would you need expert support with a GC-MS?
There are a few common scenarios that Smithers sees as being drivers for clients to want to know more about their materials:- Using a new material or material supplier
- Gaining a better understanding of material composition
- There has been an issue with a material
How do Smithers polymer experts use a GC-MS?
A sample is introduced onto the column of the instrument and volatilised into the gas phase. It is then passed along a fused silica capillary column. From here, the sample is carried along the column by an inert carrier gas, usually helium, and the components are separated according to a number of factors including boiling point and polarity. Each component then elutes from the column onto the detector, in this case a mass spectrometer.In the MS, components are ionised and bombarded by electrons resulting in fragmentation and these fragments (ions) are then separated by their mass to charge ratios (m/z). The distribution of ion fragments for a particular compound is referred to as a mass spectrum.
Mass spectra can be compared with extensive commercially available libraries of spectra to provide identification for unknown compounds. The peak area of a compound is proportional to its concentration, and so can be used for quantification of the compound.
What can Smithers support with and how can GC-MS help?
GC-MS is an incredibly powerful and valuable analytical tool with many potential applications. Smithers polymer experts work with clients to help them understand more about their materials, and gain confidence in their usage. Examples of this support includes:- Identifying additives in polymeric materials including plasticisers and anti-degradants
- Reverse engineering of rubber products
- Residual monomer testing
- Residual solvent analysis
- Analysis of fuel samples
- Failure analysis
- Batch to batch comparison
- Headspace analysis of more volatile compounds
