Meaning
Infrared spectroscopy measurements compare the relative intensities of two distinct chemical bonds to determine the composition of a polymer blend. The peak absorbance ratio provides a normalized value that is independent of sample thickness or path length variations. This calculation helps verify the concentration of additives or the ratio of different polymer phases in a molded part, giving moulders an immediate measure of formulation consistency.
Spectroscopic Comparison
Spectroscopic equipment passes radiation through the polymer film and produces a spectrum with characteristic bands for each functional group. Determining the peak absorbance ratio involves dividing the intensity of a target additive band by a stable polymer reference band. This approach compensates for physical variations in the test specimen.
Composition Control
Extruder operators utilize these spectroscopic metrics to monitor slip agent migration or elastomer blending in real time. Changes in the peak absorbance ratio signal an incorrect blend ratio or a dosage pump malfunction. Correcting these drifts prevents surface defects and ensures consistent part performance.
Production Variance
Monitoring raw material inputs over long production runs requires stable baseline measurements. A shifting peak absorbance ratio alerts quality control to raw material variation. This rapid check reduces the need for expensive mechanical testing.
