Method for the routine identification of plastics

US5510619A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Brunker Analytische Messtechnik GmbH

Inventors

• Gunter Zachmann · Remchingen, DE
• Jurgen Gast · Rheinstetten, DE
• Arno Simon · Ettlingen, DE
• Reiner Schubel · Karlsruhe, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 18, 1994
• Grant date: Apr 23, 1996
• Expiry date: Nov 18, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2021/3595
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for routine identification of materials of plastic components with the assistance of infrared spectroscopy with which an infrared reflection spectrum is taken from the surface of a plastic component to be investigated and compared to a set of reference spectra, whereby the material of the plastic component under investigation is correlated to a class of plastic materials represented by one of the reference spectrum, is characterized in that the plastic component under investigation is positioned with the assistance of a video device (25, 26) and in that the infrared reflection spectrum is recorded in the range of the mid-infrared (MIR) in a wave length region between 400 and 4,000 cm.sup.-1. In this fashion even plastics which, for example, are filled with carbon can be routinely identified. It is preferred when the first derivative of the recorded IR spectrum with respect to wave number is taken and compared to the first derivative of the IR spectra of the reference spectra.