Agilent 4300 high performance portable FTIR
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is a highly appreciated analytical technique in the study of materials and, thanks to the high precision and speed, it is a prime choice for the characterization of a material at a molecular level.
The Agilent 4300 FTIR System is a high performance portable FTIR spectrometer that allows to operate ion-site with the precision and quality of a benchtop instrument. Featuring an ultra-compact ergonomic design, it is the perfect tool for analyzing large samples directly on field avoiding laborious preparations. Equipped with several easily interchangeable sampling technologies (ATR-D, ATR-Ge, External Reflectance, Diffuse Reflectance and 82° Grazing Angle) it is the perfect tool for multiple applications.
Application examples:
Analysis of the thickness of oxide on aluminum sheets
In the case of aluminum in sheets, the most common surface contaminant is its oxide, Al2O3, which forms layers
with a thickness of less than µm that are difficult to remove.
The aluminum oxide has characteristic absorption bands that are appreciable in the infrared and, through the Grazing Angle accessory, it is possible to analyze even such thin layers.
The measurements are carried out without performing any pretreatment of the sample, simply by placing the FTIR
on the sampling area of interest.
Analysis of the state of contamination of metal surfaces before painting
The analytical solution developed was to evaluate the cleanliness of a railway axle before painting and after laser cleaning.
The main contaminants present are organic in nature (oils, greases, inks, dust) and the evaluation of the intensity of the stretching C-H, attributable to residual hydrocarbons, has been identified as a discriminant between material suitable for painting or not.
To appreciate the infrared signal on a shiny and specular surface, such as that of an axle, specular reflectance is the
most suitable accessory.
hanks to the Agilent 4300 FTIR it was possible to carry out this control directly on-site without the need to treat the sample in advance.