Incomplete or incorrect polymer identification is a common weak point in Safety Data Sheets. Consultants are often asked to assess exposure, classify hazards, or defend SDS content when the underlying polymer identity is vague, generic, or based on supplier assumptions. When polymer composition is not analytically supported, downstream risk assessments and regulatory decisions become difficult to justify.
Why standard approaches often fail
Many SDS rely on trade names, outdated formulations, or non-analytical declarations of polymer type. Visual inspection, solubility assumptions, or reliance on supplier statements do not resolve formulation changes, blended polymers, or substituted materials. When challenged by regulators or clients, these approaches provide little defensible evidence.
Our analytical approach
LCS Laboratory Inc. performs polymer identification using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) with transmission analysis. High-resolution spectra are collected and compared against a large, curated reference database of commercial polymers. The outcome is a technically defensible, instrument-based identification that supports SDS authorship and review.
Method details and data quality
FTIR transmission spectra are collected over the 500–4000 cm⁻¹ wavenumber range. Spectral features are matched against thousands of polymer reference profiles to provide a tentative identification based on characteristic infrared absorption patterns. This approach is well suited for identifying base polymer classes and common commercial formulations.
Sample preparation options
Sample preparation is selected based on polymer properties to maximize spectral quality:
- Solution casting for polymers that can be dissolved and formed into thin films
- Thermal melting for thermoplastic materials that can be formed into uniform films
- KBr pellet preparation for crosslinked or insoluble polymers requiring solid-state analysis
Carbon-black–filled polymers are not suitable for FTIR transmission analysis due to infrared opacity and cannot be analyzed using this method.
Applicability and limitations
This service is most useful when the polymer type is unknown, uncertain, or needs independent confirmation for SDS accuracy. FTIR provides tentative identification of polymer composition; it does not quantify additives, trace impurities, or minor blend components below FTIR sensitivity. Results should be interpreted in the context of formulation complexity and intended SDS use.
Why consultants use LCS Laboratory
This polymer identification service is offered exclusively by LCS Laboratory Inc. and is routinely used to support SDS preparation, verification, and regulatory review. We work with consultants as technical peers, focusing on data quality, method limitations, and defensible interpretation rather than generic reporting.
Discuss the method before sampling
If you are considering polymer identification for SDS or exposure assessment purposes, we recommend discussing sample suitability and preparation strategy before submission. To speak with LCS Laboratory about method applicability or sampling considerations, please contact us via email. ©
