Plastic Deformulation
EAG Laboratories has expertise in the reverse engineering of plastic products and polymeric materials. A plastic deformulation study provides a complete breakdown of the material’s components, it includes the separation, identification and quantitation of ingredients that are present.
Plastic deformulation consists of analytical instrumental techniques and extraction methods to identify and quantify the ingredients in a complex mixture. EAG Laboratories provides deformulation studies on plastics, polymers, rubber products, composites and other specialty products. We can identify the polymers, pigments and additives present in the plastic product down to the 1% level.
Additionally, EAG Laboratories can identify and quantitate ingredients such as stabilizers and process aids that may be present in the 500 ppm level by application of specialized techniques.
Polymer and Plastic Deformulation Techniques
Deformulation studies usually start with cryo-grinding of the plastic to a fine mesh size followed by proprietary solvent extractions to isolate various components from the plastic. Once materials are isolated, they can be identified using a number of analytical techniques such as:
Other methods can be used to quantify fillers and pigments. These include:
Additives in very low amounts may be determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) can be used to determine the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the resin.
EAG Laboratories’ reverse engineering projects of plastic materials have identified and quantified these types of components:
- Flame retardants
- Impact modifiers
- Lubricants
- Polymers
- Pigments
- Plasticizers
- Process Aids
- Reinforcements
- Resins
- Stabilizers
We have successfully reverse engineered many different plastic products, including:
- Medical devices
- Construction products
- Home products
- Toys and sporting goods
- Packaging
Deformulation analysis of commercial products is provided for informational purposes only. EAG Laboratories strongly recommends review of state and federal laws, trademarks, copyrights and patent situations by the customer prior to use of such information.
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