How can FILAB help you analyse and characterise your polymers?
Whether you are a leading figure in the plastics industry, an R&D engineer, a quality manager, or an industrial buyer in the automotive, medical, packaging, or cosmetics sectors, you may encounter challenges related to material compliance, product performance, or production reliability.
As a laboratory specializing in the analysis of polymers and plastic materials, we support plastics professionals in a variety of applications, with customized solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Chemical composition
Dosing of high-risk chemical substances: additives, antioxidants, bisphenol A, heavy metals, residual solvents, nitrosamines, plasticisers, etc.
Chemical analysis by GC-MS, Py-GCMS, LCMSMS, CI...
Determination of mineral load
Determination of molecular weight by GPC
Soxhlet extraction
Identifying the composition of a polymer
Microplastics testing
Physical and thermal characterization
Study of thermal properties by DSC, ATG, ATG-FTIR analysis
Mechanical testing : tensile testing, bending test compression, shore hardness measurement, Izod impact test
Study of crystalline phases by DSC
Analysis of plastic powders or granules
Determining polydispersity
Determining the degree of cross-linking
Morphology studies, surface characterization including porosity measurement
Measurement of Oxygen Induction Time (OIT)
Determining the polymer ratio
Measurement of the degree of gelatinisation of starch
Mechanical analysis: tensile test on polymers, bending test
Microplastics Testing
Problem solving
Search for impurities: heavy metals, redisual solvents, degradation products, contamination, etc.
Identification of pollution (inclusion of particles)
Analysis of fractures or cracks
Polymers include thermoplastic or thermosetting materials (PE, PP, PET, PVC, PTFE, etc.), composite materials and polymer-based formulations (paints, glues, resins, varnishes, etc.). They are used in many industries for their lightness, flexibility and insulating properties.
Here are a few examples of polymer families that can be handled by the FILAB laboratory.
Polymer families supported by FILAB
PET analysis
PET analysis
PU analysis
PU analysis
Our dedicated analytical facility
- Chemical analysis of the organic fraction
- Chemical analysis of mineral fractions
- Thermal analysis
- Surface analysis
Our FAQs
Apolymer analysis laboratory enables you to understand the composition, structure and properties of your materials. This helps you to check quality, identify impurities or contaminants, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Whether for quality control or new product development, FILAB's expertise can optimise your performance and ensure the safety of your polymer materials.
The tests carried out by FILAB, a laboratory specialising in polymer analysis, can include :
- Chromatography (GC-MS, HPLC) to identify additives and contaminants
- Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyse chemical composition
- Thermogravimetry (TGA) to measure thermal stability
- Tensile and flexural tests to assess mechanical properties
These analyses enable us to characterise your polymers and ensure that they meet your technical and industrial requirements.
Polymer analyses are used in a wide range of industrial sectors, including
- Automotive industry: to check the strength and durability of plastic parts.
- Medical: to ensure that polymer medical devices are safe and comply with standards.
- Packaging: to guarantee the quality and safety of food and industrial packaging.
- Aeronautics: to ensure that polymer materials withstand mechanical and thermal stress.
FILAB, a polymer analysis laboratory, can help you optimise your materials by carrying out formulation studies and identifying solutions to improve the mechanical, thermal or chemical properties of your polymers. By detecting potential failures and suggesting compositional adjustments, we can help you create materials that perform better and are more resistant.
The main methods used in a polymer analysis laboratory include :
- Gas chromatography (GC-MS) for the identification of volatile organic compounds
- Electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) to analyse structures on a microscopic scale
- Raman spectroscopy to identify molecular structure
- Calorimetric analysis (DSC) to assess thermal transitions
These methods guarantee accurate results for a better understanding of your polymer materials.
FILAB is an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory with in-depth expertise in polymer analysis and characterisation. We offer customised services to meet the specific needs of your industry. Our state-of-the-art equipment and qualified experts enable us to deliver fast, reliable results, ensuring that your materials meet the most stringent standards.
FILAB provides comprehensive testing services to identify and characterize microplastics present in various types of samples.
Using advanced techniques such as micro-RAMAN spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDX (SEM-EDX), and OECD 120 and 301 tests, FILAB determines the polymeric composition, morphology, particle size, and environmental behavior of plastic particles.
FILAB handles a wide range of polymers: PE, PP, PET, PVC, PTFE, resins, composites, copolymers, elastomers, silicones, bio-based materials, etc.
We adapt the analytical methods according to the nature of the material.
ISO 17025 accreditation ensures that the laboratory has demonstrated competence, impartiality, and reliability in its measurement methods. It also guarantees traceability of the results. FILAB is ISO 17025 accredited by COFRAC.
A polymer is the basic macromolecule (chemical structure), whereas plastic is the final material produced from the polymer combined with additives and processed through industrial techniques (extrusion, injection molding, casting, etc.).
Polymers are used in complex environments: heat, humidity, solvents, mechanical stress, food or medical contact.
Our polymer laboratory studies these multiple interactions to ensure the material’s reliability under real-life conditions of use. Our specific services include:
- Migration studies (organic fluids, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals)
- UV/thermal aging combined with FTIR-ATR monitoring to detect oxidation
- Permeability measurements (O₂, CO₂, H₂O) according to ASTM standards
- Evaluation of polymer/active substance compatibility (pharmaceutical packaging
- Monitoring of chemical degradation by NMR and chromatography