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Polymer analysisHow do the instruments measure? What sample does each test need, and what data does it provide? Review the technical details of chemical, thermal, mechanical and color methods in this list.Specialty PolymersFunctional and advanced polymers for specific industrial needs and demanding service conditions.Commodity PolymersA guide to polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene, for choosing a material that suits the product, the process and the performance requirements.Custom Polymer CompoundingAlign resin, additives and process with a defined performance target.BIC · Polymer solutionsAdvanced polymer analysis: from molecular structure to industrial performance StandardsAn at-a-glance overview of key test and material specification standards, as a starting point for thermoplastics and thermosets.HomeFrom material identification and quality control to formulation development and the supply of polymers and compounds: your partner in polymer innovation.Technical ServicesFrom formulation and new product development to quality control and failure investigation: define your goal and find the right technical service path, investigation plan and related tests.Material selection and sourcingTechnical support and sourcing solutions for polymer materials, additives and industrial compounds, based on your processing requirements, performance targets and application.ResinsBase materials for plastics, coatings, adhesives and composites, selected to suit the process and curing conditions.Engineering PlasticsMaterials for parts that need reliable mechanical, thermal and dimensional performance.AdditivesImproving processability, durability and performance with additives compatible with the base polymer.MasterbatchesColor and additive concentrates for better dosing, dispersion and production consistency.FillersAdjusting mechanical properties, dimensional behavior, density and formulation cost.Coating and adhesive materialsPolymer systems for surface protection, bonding and special surface performance.CompoundsFormulated compounds with defined processing and performance properties for the target application.Colorimetry and color differenceA set of instruments for assessing color and color difference, gloss, adhesion, hardness and film thickness. Depending on the purpose of the test, a colorimeter, gloss meter, adhesion tools, hardness tester and thickness gauge are used. Comparing color difference and gloss against a reference, together with assessing adhesion, hardness and film thickness, shows whether a non-conformance relates mainly to the coating's appearance or to its performance. Reviewing these results alongside the substrate type and the application and curing conditions helps prioritize changes to the formulation, surface preparation or process settings.Scanning electron microscope · SEMA focused electron beam scans the sample surface, and the secondary or backscattered electron signal is recorded to form an image. Images with a large depth of field show the surface morphology and microstructural detail of the polymer. Observing crack paths, fiber pull-out and interfacial debonding provides evidence about the fracture mechanism and the quality of bonding between components. Comparing filler dispersion and voids in good and defective samples helps assess the effect of mixing, processing and formulation; the result should be checked against mechanical data and the sample history.Transmission electron microscope · TEMAn electron beam passes through a very thin sample to image the internal structure of the material. Image contrast makes it possible to examine phase morphology and particle dispersion at the nanometer scale. Examining the size of dispersed phases and the agglomeration of nanofillers helps compare mixing quality and the compatibility of components. Comparing the microstructure of reference and production samples provides evidence for interpreting property changes and adjusting the formulation.Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer · FTIRRecords the absorption of infrared radiation by chemical bonds. The spectral pattern is used to identify the polymer family and compare the composition of samples. Comparing the absorption bands of a defective sample with a good one can reveal differences in functional groups, the presence of an unwanted material or chemical change in the polymer. This evidence helps test hypotheses such as the mix-up of an incorrect material or contamination, and narrows the investigation of raw materials and the process.Differential scanning calorimeter · DSCMeasures the difference in heat flow between a sample and a reference over a temperature program; used to examine the thermal transitions of polymers. Comparing the glass transition, melting and crystallization temperatures of samples under the same thermal program shows differences in their thermal behavior and processing history. These data help investigate batch-to-batch quality differences and review heating and cooling conditions, but the cause of a change must be confirmed against material and production information.Thermogravimetric analyzer · TGARecords the sample mass as the temperature changes or over time; used to examine mass loss and residue. Comparing the mass-loss steps and the residue under a defined atmosphere and temperature program is useful for examining differences in volatiles, decomposition behavior and the likely share of inorganic components. The results help assess changes in composition or thermal sensitivity; the onset temperature of mass loss in this test is not, on its own, the permissible service temperature of the product.Size-exclusion chromatography system · GPC / SECSeparates dissolved polymer chains according to their hydrodynamic size. With suitable calibration and detectors, the molecular weight distribution is determined. A shift in the molecular weight distribution, or a change in its breadth compared with a reference, can indicate a change in chain length, including possible chain scission. Comparing these data with thermal history and flow behavior helps trace a drop in viscosity or differences in batch performance; the limitation posed by any insoluble fraction of the sample must be taken into account.Rotational rheometer · RheologyMeasures the response of a material to shear or deformation; used to examine the viscosity and viscoelastic behavior of melts, resins and polymer systems. Measuring viscosity and viscoelastic response at a defined temperature and shear rate or frequency shows under which conditions the flow of samples differs most. This information is used to investigate process instability, compare grades and assess the effect of formulation changes, and it provides a basis for choosing process-improvement trials.Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer · NMRRecords the response of nuclei such as hydrogen and carbon in a magnetic field. The NMR spectrum helps determine chemical structure, copolymer composition and chain end groups. Under suitable conditions, chemical shifts and the integrals of resolved signals help assess the structure of repeat units and the ratio of copolymer components. Comparing a sample with a reference can reveal structural or compositional differences when tracing a material non-conformance; quantitative measurement requires appropriate sample preparation and test settings.Universal tensile testing machine (UTM) · TensileThe sample is pulled between two grips while force and elongation are recorded. The test is used to examine the strength and deformation of polymers under tensile load. Comparing the stress–strain curves of good and problem samples shows whether the main change is in tensile stiffness, strength or the ability to deform before break. This evidence is useful for assessing the effect of grade, formulation or production conditions on a loss of mechanical performance, but determining the cause of failure requires a review of service conditions and complementary tests.

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Technical article11 Oct 2026

Polyethylene: the most commonly used polymer in the world

What should you know about polyethylene? What is it made from, and which of its properties deserve your attention? Let's take a closer look at this material.