Advantages of near infrared spectroscopy for the analysis of polymers and composites

There is an ever increasing need for batter quality control of polymers and polymeric composites in order to improve product quality and reduce produc tion costs. Measurements need to be performed rapidly and give precise chem ical and physical information to enable ra good understanding to be made of the parameters leading to higher quality products. NIR spectroscopy is ide ally suited for studies of a large variety of composites and requires minim al sample conditioning. The composition, degree of conversion, crystallinit y, water content and interaction, and filler content call be monitored in r eal-time using NIR spectroscopy. Moreover, the water content and the water interactions can be analyzed simultaneously. Water can be used therefore as a probe molecule to study polymers and composites.