Polymer laminate sample preparation

Laminate samples are prepared by overlaying an ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer film, adhesive resin film and TPX film and are press-molded. 

A new technique for the identification of components of polymer laminates is the diamond anvil cell technique supplied by Perkin Elmer [29]. A laminate is separated by cutting a small portion of the sample with a razor blade. The layers are then separated by sectioning each piece with the blade. All sample preparation is performed under a stereo microscope. The separated layers are then individually placed in the diamond cell and a spectrum is obtained. This work was performed using a Perkin Elmer model 1650 instrument (a DTGS detector) at 8 cm resolution and 16 scans. Figure 3.7 shows spectra identifying the components of a three-layer polymer laminate. 

Figure 3.7 Preparation of test pipe (a) 16-in pipes with 24-in gap, (b) applying resin to fiber-reinforced polymer laminate, (c) wrapping it around a packer, (d) inserting packer into the pipe and guiding it to position, (e) inflating packer, and (f) finished sample.

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