We can identify the molecular organic compounds with sophisticated Fast-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR test) and provide both the spectrum and its interpretation. We also do extractions to determine percentage contents and use FTIR to identify the extracted material. We determine percent ash for filler content and can also identify major elements in the ash and its papermaking sources using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy -- EDS. Some of the additional analytical chemistry lab
Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX)
Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) is an analytical technique used to measure elemental distribution in a sample. EDX identifies elements that are above 0.5% and is non-destructive to the sample. The EDX can be used as a screening tool to see if further quantitative analysis is warranted. If a product fails the EDX, there is no need to conduct an atomic absorption test. This tool can be used to determine the type of pigment or filler in coatings or unknown deposits and helps identify what elements are present in significant quantities.
Atomic Absorption
Atomic absorption is a technique for determining the concentration of a particular metal element in a sample. This is the workhorse for quantitative elemental analysis. IPS offers two types of atomic absorption:
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Flame Atomic Absorption - Flame atomic absorption tests for 
metal ions in solution. It is used to determine levels of important metal ions to part-per-million levels in liquid samples.
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Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption (GFAA) - Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption (GFAA) measures metal ions in solution down to the low part-per-billion levels.
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS)
Our U.S. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) lab separates mixtures in the gas phase to identify substances in the test sample. GCMS has the ability to detect small levels of the substance. Applications of GCMS include identification of unknown organics in samples and odor analysis of products, and it can identify trace elements in materials that were previously thought to have disintegrated beyond identification.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) takes a mixture and separates, identifies, and quantifies its compounds to measure individual components (organic compounds). The benefit of this equipment is that it can measure organic compounds to part-per-million or part-per-billion levels and gives accurate results with a minimal sample.
Our services can be tailored to fit your needs or a standard method (TAPPI, ASTM, ISO etc.) can be followed. Please contact us to find out if we can help you.
IPS' Analytical Chemistry Lab offers several TAPPI method standard tests along with ISO and ASTM methods that serve a number of testing interests. To see more details about the test methods available, sample requirements needed and other pertinent testing information, click on the appropriate Method Number in the table below.
* We follow TAPPI methods as our standard protocol, but we can follow ISO, ASTM, INDA, etc. as requested.