Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a fundamental analytical technique for the analysis of organic materials. It provides critical information in the evaluation of polymeric materials, including material identification, contamination, and degradation. The course will present a fundamental understanding of the technique and the following topics will be covered:
Theory of Infrared Spectroscopy
Test Result Interpretation
Application to Polymeric Materials
Material Identification
Contamination
Degradation
Sample Preparation
Supplementing FTIR With Other Techniques
Cases Studies
At the end of the course, you will
Better appreciate how FTIR can be used to understand the composition of polymeric materials
Gain insight into approaching an FTIR analysis
Understand other test techniques that complement FTIR
Jeffrey A. Jansen is the Engineering Manager and a Partner at The Madison Group, an independent plastics engineering and consulting firm. Jeff is a proven plastic professional with more than 30 years of experience solving problems and addressing opportunities related to polymeric materials. He specializes in failure analysis, material identification and selection, as well as compatibility, aging, and lifetime prediction studies for thermoplastic materials. Jeff has performed over 5,000 investigations, both for industrial clients and as a part of litigation. He is a regular presenter on the SPE webinar series, covering a wide range of topics related to plastics failure, material performance, testing, and polymer technology. Jeff is a graduate of Carroll College and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Plastic industry professionals keen on exploring material marketing benchmarks, recycling compositions, advancing material quality control practices, and delving into failure analysis.
Why Should You Attend?
Are you experiencing failures in your plastic products and want to explore if they are related to degradation of the material or contamination?
Identifying the root causes of product failures is crucial for improving product performance and ensuring reliability.
Are you purchasing plastic parts and need to ensure you’re receiving the materials you were promised?
Whether you’re in procurement, quality assurance, or supply chain management, verifying material composition is vital for maintaining trust, ensuring quality, and delivering peak performance.
Are you seeking to explore the materials used in a market of interest and gain a competitive advantage?
As a material supplier, product developer, or market strategist, understanding the composition and properties of plastics in your target market is crucial for driving innovation and achieving success.
Are you in the recycling business and want to understand the material composition of a feedstock to define the potential application of that material?
Gaining detailed insights into material properties is essential for maximizing value and exploring sustainable applications.
Are you buying recycled plastic for your process and want to verify the material’s purity and composition?
Ensuring the quality and consistency of recycled materials is key to maintaining product integrity and meeting sustainability goals.
If these challenges resonate with you, the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Failure and Compositional Analysis workshop is the perfect solution! Develop the skills and knowledge to confidently verify material authenticity, analyze market trends, assess feedstock potential, and evaluate recycled material quality. Empower yourself to make informed decisions and stay ahead in the plastics industry.
Kim McLoughlin Senior Research Engineer, Global Materials Science Braskem
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Kim drives technology programs at Braskem to develop advanced polyolefins with improved recyclability and sustainability. As Principal Investigator on a REMADE-funded collaboration, Kim leads a diverse industry-academic team that is developing a process to recycle elastomers as secondary feedstock. Kim has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Cornell. She is an inventor on more than 25 patents and applications for novel polyolefin technologies. Kim is on the Board of Directors of SPE’s Thermoplastic Materials & Foams Division, where she has served as Education Chair and Councilor.
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Gamini has a BS and PhD from Purdue University in Materials Engineering and Sustainability. He joined Penn State as a Post Doctorate Scholar in 2020 prior to his professorship appointment. He works closely with PA plastics manufacturers to implement sustainability programs in their plants.
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Tom Giovannetti holds a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Tulsa and for the last 26 years has worked for Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. Tom started his plastics career by designing various injection molded products for the chemical industry including explosion proof plugs and receptacles, panel boards and detonation arrestors for 24 inch pipelines. Tom also holds a patent for design of a polyphenylene sulfide sleeve in a nylon coolant cross-over of an air intake manifold and is a Certified Plastic Technologist through the Society of Plastic Engineers. Tom serves on the Oklahoma Section Board as Councilor, is also the past president of the local Oklahoma SPE Section, and as well serves on the SPE Injection Molding Division board.
Joseph Lawrence, Ph.D. Senior Director and Research Professor University of Toledo
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Dr. Joseph Lawrence is a Research Professor and Senior Director of the Polymer Institute and the Center for Materials and Sensor Characterization at the University of Toledo. He is a Chemical Engineer by training and after working in the process industry, he has been engaged in polymers and composites research for 18+ years. In the Polymer Institute he leads research on renewably sourced polymers, plastics recycling, and additive manufacturing. He is also the lead investigator of the Polyesters and Barrier Materials Research Consortium funded by industry. Dr. Lawrence has advised 20 graduate students, mentored 8 staff scientists and several undergraduate students. He is a peer reviewer in several journals, has authored 30+ peer-reviewed publications and serves on the board of the Injection Molding Division of SPE.
Matt Hammernik Northeast Account Manager Hasco America
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Matt Hammernik serves as Hasco America’s Northeast Area Account Manager covering the states Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. He started with Hasco America at the beginning of March 2022. Matt started in the Injection Mold Industry roughly 10 years ago as an estimator quoting injection mold base steel, components and machining. He advanced into outside sales and has been serving molders, mold builders and mold makers for about 7 years.
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