Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

This rectangular aperture was positioned over an exposed area from the edge of a shiny fragment removed from a recycled paper product. The fragment was initially thought to be a metal fragment.

The FTIR spectrum obtained from the sample matched the FTIR spectrum for polyester.

A small metallic fleck in a recycled paper product turned out to be a small fragment of a Mylar balloon. The 15 micrometer X 45 micrometer rectangular aperture was positioned over a small edge of the fragment where the print layer had peeled away. This was enough sample to get a micro FTIR spectrum which identified the material as polyester.