Composition Analysis and Structural Characterization of Resin/Composite Materials

We provide comprehensive composition analysis and structural characterization services for polymers and composite materials by leveraging our wide range of analytical techniques and expertise.

Chemical Structure Analysis

Structural characterization is carried out using the following analytical techniques and instrumentation.

• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)
  Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) is a technique used to determine the molecular structure and condition of a material by analyzing absorption spectra obtained from transmitted or reflected infrared light.
  Because organic functional groups exhibit characteristic absorption bands at specific wavelengths, FT-IR is highly effective for:
  • Identification of polymer types
  • Evaluation of molecular structural changes caused by crosslinking reactions and degradation reactions
  • Analysis of foreign materials and deposits in products
• Imaging Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (Imaging FT-IR)
  Imaging FT-IR combines infrared spectroscopy with spatial imaging to visualize the distribution of chemical components within a sample.
  By analyzing absorption spectra obtained from transmitted or reflected infrared light, molecular structures and material conditions can be evaluated. This technique is particularly useful for:
  • Identification of polymer species
  • Evaluation of molecular structure changes caused by crosslinking and degradation reactions
  • Analysis of contaminants, inclusions, and deposits in products
  • Visualization of the spatial distribution of specific chemical components
• Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)
  Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) is a technique used to determine the molecular weight distribution and average molecular weight of polymers.
  The method is based on a size-exclusion mechanism in which large polymer molecules penetrate fewer pores within the gel packing material and therefore elute from the column faster than smaller molecules. This enables accurate characterization of polymer molecular weight distributions.
• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
  In the analysis of additives and curing agents in plastic products, biological extracts, food components, and other complex materials, samples often consist of mixtures containing numerous compounds.
  Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) separates these mixed components using gas chromatography and subsequently identifies them by mass spectrometry. This technique provides highly sensitive and efficient analysis of trace components present in complex mixtures.
• Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS)
  Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) combines a pyrolysis unit with a GC-MS system.
  Polymeric materials, which traditionally require complicated sample preparation, can be thermally decomposed without pretreatment. The resulting pyrolysis products are analyzed to identify the molecular structure and composition of the original material.
• Purge-and-Trap Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (P&T GC-MS)
  Purge-and-Trap Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (P&T GC-MS) is a highly sensitive analytical technique for volatile organic compounds emitted from plastics and rubber products.
  Volatile substances released from polymers and elastomers can cause various problems, including:
  • Electrical contact failures in electronic components
  • Degradation of plastic and rubber materials
  In P&T GC-MS, the sample is heated and all evolved volatile compounds are captured in a trap tube prior to analysis, enabling highly sensitive measurements.
  Because the sample tube has a large inner diameter (12 mm), finished plastic and rubber products can be analyzed directly without extensive sample preparation. Furthermore, the technique provides high-sensitivity measurements across a wide boiling-point range, from low-boiling to high-boiling compounds.

Thermal Analysis

Thermal analysis is performed using the following analytical techniques and instrumentation.

• Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
  Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a technique that measures the difference in heat flow between a sample and a reference material. By detecting endothermic and exothermic thermal events, DSC can be used to observe phase transitions in polymeric materials, such as glass transition, crystallization, and melting, as well as crosslinking reactions in thermosetting resins.
• Thermogravimetry-Differential Thermal Analysis (TG-DTA)
  When the temperature of a sample is changed, various phenomena may occur, including melting, glass transition, crystallization, decomposition, oxidation, and curing reactions, accompanied by changes in mass and thermal behavior.
  TG-DTA simultaneously measures:
  • Changes in sample weight using thermogravimetry (TG)
  • Temperature differences between the sample and a reference material using differential thermal analysis (DTA)
  This enables comprehensive evaluation of thermal and physical property changes occurring within the sample.
• Thermogravimetry-Mass Spectrometry (TG-MS)
  Thermogravimetry-Mass Spectrometry (TG-MS) is a technique in which gases evolved during TG heating are introduced directly into a mass spectrometer for real-time analysis.
  While TG alone can detect weight loss, it cannot identify the species responsible for the change. By coupling TG with MS, the chemical species and quantities of volatile or thermally decomposed products can be monitored as a function of temperature, providing valuable insights into decomposition and degradation mechanisms.
• Thermogravimetry (TG)
  Thermogravimetry (TG) measures changes in the mass of a sample as a function of time or temperature while the sample is heated, cooled, or held under isothermal conditions in a controlled atmosphere.
  For depolymerization-type polymers, whose decomposition temperatures depend on molecular weight, comparison of thermal decomposition temperatures can be used to evaluate molecular weight reduction caused by degradation or aging.
• Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)
  Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA) is a technique that measures the deformation of a sample as a function of temperature while a non-oscillating (constant) load is applied.
  Various loading modes can be employed, including:
  • Compression
  • Tension
  • Bending
  As temperature changes, the sample may undergo thermal expansion, softening, or other dimensional changes. The resulting displacement is detected by a probe and measured to evaluate the thermomechanical properties of the material.

Rigid-Body Pendulum Viscoelasticity Testing

Pendulum viscoelasticity testing, which utilizes the free damped oscillation of a rigid-body pendulum, enables the measurement of the viscoelastic properties and glass transition temperature (Tg) of coatings applied to substrate materials.
In addition, by continuously monitoring the transition from a liquid state to a solid state during the curing or drying process, changes in material properties and viscosity can be evaluated as a function of time.

• Rigid-Body Pendulum Type Physical Properties Testing of Surface Coating

Structural Characterization

We conduct structural characterization of various carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP) and glass fiber-reinforced plastics (GFRP) used across a broad range of applications to investigate their structures and failure mechanisms.
We also perform functional group analysis of fiber surfaces. Surface functional groups are essential for enhancing adhesion between carbon fibers and resin matrices in CFRP. Examples of CFRP fiber structure characterization and resin identification are presented below.

Residual Stress Evaluation

During injection molding, molten resin is cooled and solidified within a mold. Differences in shrinkage behavior and molecular orientation among various regions of the molded part result in the development of residual stresses within the product.
When external forces are applied or chemicals come into contact with the molded part, these residual stresses may be released, leading to the initiation and propagation of cracks. Therefore, the evaluation of residual stresses in plastic molded products is extremely important for ensuring product reliability and durability.

• Evaluation of Residual Stress in Molded Resin

Surface and Interface Analysis

Obtaining information on the depth-wise distribution of materials and properties has become increasingly important in recent years.
In particular, information regarding interfaces between dissimilar materials, such as polymer films, coating layers, and adhesive structures, provides valuable insights for guiding research and development activities.
JFE Techno-Research offers the following evaluation services for the surface and interfacial properties of polymeric materials.

• Contact Angle Measurement and Surface Free Energy Evaluation
  Contact angle and surface free energy are measured to evaluate and analyze surface and interfacial phenomena such as:
  • Wettability
  • Adhesion
  • Affinity between materials
  These measurements provide important information for understanding and optimizing surface performance.
• Analysis of Functional Groups on the Surface of Carbon Materials
  It is well known that the surface functional groups of carbon materials influence properties such as:
  • Adhesion strength to resins
  • Electrical characteristics
  We provide analytical services for the characterization of surface functional groups on carbon materials to support material development and performance optimization.