Fourier-transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy evaluated for near-surface characterization of polymeric materials

Fourier-transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy was applied to the near-surface study of various polymeric materials including aluminum/polyethylene composite films, poly(vinyl chloride) composites, and various chemically-modified textile materials. Examples are given for surface identification of polymers, distribution of chemical additives in textile materials, and characterization of polymer surface degradation. This approach has various advantages over conventional infrared sampling techniques for the study of polymeric materials.