How FTIR Helps Identify Unknown Contaminants in Industrial Products
In industrial manufacturing, product performance and reliability are directly tied to material purity and process control. Even a small, unknown contaminant can lead to product failure, costly recalls, or non-compliance with industry standards. That’s where FTIR Spectroscopy (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) becomes a powerful diagnostic tool—offering a quick, non-destructive way to identify unknown substances and contaminants in a wide range of materials.
What Is FTIR Spectroscopy?
FTIR is an analytical technique that detects molecular vibrations when a sample is exposed to infrared light. Each chemical compound absorbs IR radiation at specific frequencies, creating a unique "fingerprint" spectrum that can be compared to a reference library. This makes FTIR ideal for identifying organic, polymeric, and some inorganic contaminants in solids, liquids, and gases.
Why Contaminants Matter in Industry
Contamination can occur at any stage—raw material sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, or even storage. The consequences include:
- Product failure in the field
- Reduced shelf life
- Compromised safety or compliance
- Customer complaints and reputational damage
Identifying the contaminant quickly and accurately helps isolate the root cause, correct the process, and prevent recurrence.
How FTIR Identifies Unknown Contaminants
Sample Collection and Preparation
FTIR can work with a minimal amount of material—whether it’s a black speck on plastic, an oily residue, a discolored patch, or a foreign fiber. The sample is placed on the spectrometer directly or via an accessory like an ATR (Attenuated Total Reflectance) crystal.
Spectral Scanning
The instrument scans the sample and produces an IR spectrum based on how the material absorbs light at different wavelengths.
Library Comparison
The generated spectrum is automatically matched against extensive spectral libraries to identify the substance or closest known material.
Expert Analysis
If the contaminant isn’t a perfect match, a trained chemist analyzes the peak patterns to determine its likely chemical family (e.g., silicone, hydrocarbon, cellulose, etc.).
Real-World Applications in Industrial Settings
🔹 Plastic and Polymer Manufacturing
- Identifying black specks or burnt particles in molded products
- Analyzing surface residues or white powders on final goods
🔹 Automotive Components
- Tracing unknown deposits on electrical connectors or gaskets
- Investigating failure due to grease incompatibility or seal degradation
🔹 Pharmaceuticals and Packaging
- Identifying foreign fibers in blister packs or vials
- Detecting contamination in raw materials or excipients
🔹 Construction Materials
- Evaluating chemical changes in coatings, adhesives, and sealants
- Identifying incompatible additives in composite materials
Benefits of Using FTIR for Contamination Analysis
- Quick and accurate – Results available within hours
- Minimal sample requirement – Microscopic traces can be analyzed
- Non-destructive – Sample integrity is often preserved
- Wide compatibility – Works across materials: rubber, plastics, fluids, films, and more
- Cost-effective – Reduces downtime and long-term failure costs
How Eurofins Spectro Supports You
At Eurofins Spectro, our chemical testing experts use state-of-the-art FTIR spectrometers combined with advanced spectral libraries and domain knowledge to:
- Rapidly identify unknown contaminants
- Assist in root cause analysis and failure investigations
- Support compliance with BIS, ASTM, and international standards
- Guide corrective actions in manufacturing processes
Whether you're troubleshooting a batch issue or ensuring final product purity, FTIR gives you the clarity and confidence needed to act decisively.
Final Thought
Contaminants are often small in size but big in impact. By leveraging the speed and precision of FTIR spectroscopy, industries can maintain product integrity, avoid quality issues, and keep their production lines moving. Don’t let unknowns hold you back—know what’s in your product, and ensure it meets the highest standards.