Polymer chemical analysis and characterization
Smithers provides independent chemical characterization and analysis for plastics, rubber, and other polymer materials, supporting clients throughout material development, manufacturing, and product use.
Our specialists combine a range of analytical techniques with expert interpretation to help you identify materials, understand composition, investigate unexpected variation or contamination, compare formulations, and support quality control and failure investigations.
Testing can be commissioned as a standalone analysis or form part of a broader technical consulting program. Where standard methods are not appropriate, our experts can also develop testing approaches around your material and the information you need to understand.
How polymer chemical characterization can help
Chemical analysis can provide valuable information when developing, comparing, qualifying, or investigating polymer materials. Smithers can support:
- Material identification and composition – identify base polymers, additives, fillers, and other constituents and build a clearer understanding of material composition.
- Quality control and material comparison – investigate batch-to-batch variation and compare incoming materials, formulations, or finished products.
- Contamination and failure investigation – identify unexpected substances and generate analytical evidence to support root cause investigations.
- Material and product development – characterize formulations and understand changes in material chemistry during development or processing.
- Recycled and alternative materials – investigate composition, contaminants, and variability in recyclate-containing and alternative polymer materials.
- Regulatory and specification requirements – generate chemical data to support applicable material, product, or regulatory requirements.
Polymer materials and compounds we analyze
Smithers can characterize a wide range of polymer materials, formulations, and products, including:
- Base polymers: elastomers, plastics, and natural polymers
- Compounds: rubber, thermoplastic, and thermosetting formulations
- Additives: antidegradants, antioxidants, curatives, extenders, fillers, and plasticizers
- Products and formulated materials: adhesives, coatings, composites, inks, lacquers, laminates, and plastisols
Our chemical analysis specialists can recommend an appropriate analytical approach based on the material, application, and information you need to obtain.
Talk to an expert about polymer chemical analysis
Talk to our chemical analysis specialists about your material, the information you need to understand, and the most appropriate analytical approach for your requirements.
Polymer Chemical Characterization
- Additive Analysis
- Analysis of Chemical Blooms
- Carbon Black Analyses
- Chromatography and Spectrometry
- Complete Composition Analyses
- Dilute Solution Viscometry Testing
- Elemental Characterization
- Extractables and Leachables
- Food Contact Testing for Industrial Components
- GPC Testing - Polymer Molecular Weight Characterization
- Impurity Identification
- PAEK Testing – Polyaryletherketones and PEEK Materials
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) Analysis
- Identification of Polymer Types and Blends
- REACH and RoHS Compliance Screening
- Silica Analysis
- Spectroscopy
- Sulfur Content
- Sustainable Carbon Black Technology Evaluation
- Thermal Analysis
