These techniques supplement the gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analyses (GC-MS), to enable to study all types of organic materials and polymers.
The sample quantity required can be as low as about one milligram. Desorption at moderate temperature enables to analyse the additives and other substances not bound to the materials. Pyrolysis, i.e. high temperature thermal decomposition, reveals the actual structure of polymers and organic materials.
Some application examples: