Infrared spectroscopy thermoplastic elastomers

IR spectroscopy can be used to characterise not only different rubbers, but also to understand the structural changes due to the chemical modification of the rubbers. The chemical methods normally used to modify rubbers include hydrogenation, halogenation, hydrosilylation, phosphonylation and sulfonation. The effects of oxidation, weathering and radiation on the polymer structure can be studied with the help of infrared spectroscopy. Formation of ionic polymers and ionomeric polyblends behaving as thermoplastic elastomers can be followed by this method. Infrared spectroscopy in conjunction with other techniques is an important tool to characterise polymeric materials. 

Since infrared (IR) spectroscopy is one of the most widely used techniques for the identification of materials at the molecular level, it has been extensively used to characterise the rubbery materials. In this chapter the rubbery materials encompass PE, plasticised PVC, thermoplastic elastomers and ionomers. 

The most reliable (time-consuming and costly) identification method is to use infrared spectroscopy measurements to determine the material. The Rapra Collection of Infrared Spectra of Rubbers, Plastics, and Thermoplastic Elastomers can be used to compare the spectrum of a test material to reference spectra. The transmission spectra in this reference are obtained either from cast or molded thin film or in the case of cross-linked materials by pyrolysis of the material in a Pyrex tube. 

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