Asbestos Identificationby IR Microscopy and/or

Polarized Light Microscopy

Part 2: Asbestos Testing

Friable Asbestos Identification by IR Microscopy of broken cementitious tile:

Zooming in on the Friable Asbestos

Microscopic amount of Asbestos squashed onto aluminum sheet

NOTE: Often Spectra are corrected for humidity in the Laboratory air

The Asbestos sample is Chrysotile

The IR Microscope is so very sensitive that even a 20μ X 65μ areaof a Single “ribbon” of Asbestos is enough for Identification

Asbestos Identification and Quantificationis routinely performed as per

EPA-600-R-93-116 usingPolarized Light Microscopy (PLM)

Examples of PLM in my LabsMaterials Analyses follow

>These barrels were for “EpinephrinePens” needed to counter the threat ofNerve Gas and thus keep Saudi Arabiafrom backing down to Iraq in the GulfWar. This allowed the USA to Stagethe invasion of Kuwait.

>The barrels were breaking 100% uponejection from mold with undercut. >Defect invisible until Crossed Polarizersrevealed “Knit Line” pointing toCrack Initiation Point.

>The molten plastic was too cool whenIt came squeezing around the Core Pinfor the two advancing Melt Fronts tomelt together adequately.

>I told Manufacturer to increaseZone Temperatures by 30 degrees Cand Ejection Breakage ceased. ... and that’s how I won the war.

Device ProductionRestarted and DefectDetermined and EliminatedVia Stress BirefringenceAnalysis

CrackInitiationPoint

Polypropylene Syringe Wall Cross SectionControl of Cooling Rate is a major parameterin Determining Morphology and Properties

This type of work was very important in the implementation of Clear Polypropylene Devices using Milliken Clarifying Agents that have theundesirable effect of increasing the brittlenessof Polypropylene.

Polypropylene Syringe Gate Cross SectionControl of Rheology is a major parameterin Determining Morphology and Properties

This type of work was also very important inthe implementation of Radiation Sterilizationwhich also has the undesirable effect ofincreasing the brittleness of Polypropylene.

Injection Molding Morphology and Physical Properties