(+353) 61 237759
University of Limerick, Bernal Institute, Limerick, V94 T9PX
Polymers & Composites
Advanced analysis and research support for polymer and composite materials
Attlas supports companies working with polymers, composites, coatings, elastomers, films, fibres, adhesives and advanced material systems through access to specialist analytical instrumentation, dedicated instrument scientists and Bernal Institute expertise.
We help industry understand the structure, chemistry, surface behaviour, thermal performance, morphology, contamination, degradation and mechanical properties of polymer and composite materials.
Whether you are developing a new material, investigating a failure, comparing suppliers, assessing a process change or exploring a research partnership, Attlas provides a clear route from technical question to analytical insight.
Supporting polymer and composite innovation
Polymers and composites are used across medical devices, advanced manufacturing, electronics, aerospace, automotive, packaging, construction, energy systems and consumer products. Their performance is influenced by chemistry, processing, surface condition, formulation, reinforcement, crystallinity, thermal behaviour and long-term stability.
Attlas can support companies working across:
- thermoplastics;
- thermosets;
- elastomers;
- adhesives;
- coatings;
- films and membranes;
- fibres and textiles;
- polymer blends;
- polymer composites;
- fibre-reinforced composites;
- carbon-based materials;
- nanocomposites;
- biomedical polymers;
- sustainable and recycled polymers;
- circular economy materials;
- advanced manufacturing materials.
Our role is to help companies understand how material structure and chemistry relate to performance, quality, reliability and product-development decisions.
Polymer identification and comparison
Identifying materials, comparing batches, assessing supplier changes and understanding formulation differences.
Relevant to:
- unknown polymer identification;
- polymer blend comparison;
- raw material verification;
- supplier change assessment;
- batch-to-batch comparison;
- recycled polymer evaluation;
- formulation support;
- product-development decisions.
Surface, coating and adhesion analysis
Understanding the surface chemistry and morphology that influence bonding, coating performance, adhesion and product function.
Relevant to:
- coated polymers;
- surface-treated polymers;
- adhesion issues;
- delamination;
- plasma-treated surfaces;
- adhesive bonding;
- medical device surfaces;
- films and membranes;
- functional coatings.
Thermal and degradation behaviour
Understanding how polymers and composites respond to heat, processing, ageing, sterilisation, storage or operating conditions.
Relevant to:
- glass transition;
- melting behaviour;
- crystallisation;
- decomposition;
- thermal stability;
- oxidation;
- material ageing;
- processing effects;
- comparative material screening
Mechanical and surface performance
Assessing local mechanical behaviour, surface texture, roughness, stiffness and coating performance.
Relevant to:
- coatings;
- films;
- small components;
- hard or soft polymer regions;
- wear surfaces;
- local stiffness variation;
- micro- and nanoscale mechanical properties;
- surface quality control.
Relevant analytical capabilities
Attlas can help identify the most appropriate technique or combination of techniques based on the material, sample type and technical question.
Relevant techniques for polymers and composites may include:
- XPS for surface chemistry, oxidation, coatings and contamination analysis;
- SEM/EDX for morphology, surface features and elemental composition;
- SEM-FIB for cross-sectioning coatings, interfaces, defects and internal structures;
- TEM/STEM for nanoscale imaging, particle analysis and advanced material investigation;
- FTIR for organic identification, polymer analysis and residue screening;
- Raman for non-destructive molecular fingerprinting, phase identification and material mapping;
- ToF-SIMS for ultra-sensitive surface chemical analysis, molecular fragments and depth profiling;
- AFM for surface topography, roughness and nanoscale surface measurement;
- Confocal microscopy for high-resolution 3D imaging and surface profiling;
- DSC/TGA for polymer, thermal and material behaviour;
- XRD for crystalline phases, powders and structural material changes;
- Solid-State NMR for detailed chemical and structural analysis of solid materials, polymers, powders and complex formulations;
- Nanoindentation for hardness, stiffness, coating performance and local mechanical properties.
Where appropriate, Attlas can combine several techniques to provide a clearer picture of polymer chemistry, surface condition, internal structure, thermal behaviour and performance.
Understanding polymer and composite behaviour
Polymer and composite challenges often require more than a single test. A surface issue may be linked to chemistry. A failure may be linked to processing, contamination, thermal history or internal structure. A supplier change may affect crystallinity, filler distribution, mechanical behaviour or surface performance.
Attlas helps companies answer questions such as:
- What polymer or organic material is present?
- Has the material changed after processing, ageing or sterilisation?
- Is there contamination, residue or foreign material present?
- Why has adhesion, coating performance or surface behaviour changed?
- How do two materials, suppliers or batches compare?
- What is the thermal behaviour or degradation profile?
- Is the material crystalline, amorphous or changing phase?
- What does the internal structure or fibre distribution look like?
- Are fillers, particles or reinforcements evenly distributed?
- What is the surface roughness, morphology or mechanical behaviour?
- Could this technical issue become a consultancy, training or research project?
Failure and contamination investigation
Investigating defects, residues, cracking, discolouration, delamination, fracture surfaces or unexpected material behaviour.
Relevant to:
- product failure;
- foreign material;
- organic residue;
- staining or discolouration;
- cracking or embrittlement;
- surface deposits;
- manufacturing contamination;
- process-related defects;
- root-cause investigation.
Composite structure and reinforcement analysis
Investigating the internal structure, fibre distribution, filler dispersion and defects that influence composite performance.
Relevant to:
- fibre-reinforced composites;
- carbon fibre systems;
- glass fibre materials;
- filled polymers;
- nanocomposites;
- layered materials;
- voids and defects;
- matrix-reinforcement interfaces;
- composite failure.
Supporting sustainable and circular polymer development
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Attlas can support companies developing more sustainable polymer and composite materials, including recycled polymers, bio-based materials, waste-derived materials and circular economy solutions.
This may include:
- comparison of virgin and recycled materials;
- contamination investigation in recycled streams;
- degradation and ageing studies;
- material compatibility assessment;
- surface and chemical characterisation;
- filler and additive analysis;
- structural and thermal comparison;
- research project development around circular materials.
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