Peak Analytical, Inc.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is an analytical technique used to identify organic (and in some cases inorganic) materials. This technique measures the absorption of various infrared light wavelengths by a particular material. The spectra are used to identify the material.

Absorption bands in the range of 4000 – 1500 wavenumbers are typically due to functional groups (e.g. -OH, C=O, N-H, CH3, etc.). The region between 1500 – 400 wavenumbers is referred to as the fingerprint region. Absorption bands in this region are generally due to intra-molecular phenomena, and are highly specific for each material. The specificity of these bands allow computerized data searches to be performed against reference libraries to identify a material.

At Peak Analytical, Inc., we utilize this advanced technique in the analysis of contamination and failures in plastics, rubbers, and others. Furthermore, our facilities also include various sampling accessories such as a gas cell, ATR, liquid cell, and a microscope to ensure that regardless of the sample type, we can obtain the best IR spectrum to perform a thorough analysis.