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

Abstract

Abstract There is an ever increasing need for better quality control of polymers and polymeric composites in order to improve product quality and reduce production costs. Measurements need to be performed rapidly and give precise chemical and physical information to enable a good understanding to be made of the parameters leading to higher quality products. NIR spectroscopy is ideally suited for studies of a large variety of composites and requires minimal sample conditioning. The composition, degree of conversion, crystallinity, water content and interaction, and filler content can be monitored in real‐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.