Method for classifying resins types in carbon fiber reinforced plastic materials using IR spectroscopy

A method of identifying a resin-based composite material comprising:

• irradiating said resin-based composite material with infrared energy over a spectrum of wavelengths;
• collecting one or more spectra of said infrared energy reflected from said resin-based composite material over said spectrum of wavelengths;
• performing multivariate processing at one or more wavelengths comprising the one or more infrared spectra;
• comparing results of said multivariate processing with one or more predetermined material classification models derived from model material infrared energy spectra collected from one or more model materials, said one or more model materials each comprising a known resin-based composite material composition;
• identifying said resin-based composite material based on a similarity of said results of said multivariate processing at one or more wavelengths with said predetermined material classification models;
• determining a subsequent temperature processing step based on said identifying said resin-based composite material;
• and,
• heating said resin-based composite material at a sufficient time and temperature to incinerate said resin.

A method of identifying a resin-based composite material with a portable hand-held IR spectrometer comprising:

• irradiating said resin-based composite material with infrared energy over a spectrum of wavelengths;
• collecting one or more spectra of said infrared energy reflected from said resin-based composite material over said spectrum of wavelengths;
• performing multivariate processing at one or more wavelengths comprising the one or more infrared spectra;
• comparing results of said multivariate processing with one or more predetermined material classification models derived from model material infrared energy spectra collected from one or more model materials, said one or more model materials each comprising a known resin-based composite material composition;
• identifying said resin-based composite material based on a similarity of said results of said multivariate processing at one or more wavelengths with said predetermined material classification models;
• wherein said steps of irradiating, collecting, performing, comparing and identifying are accomplished with said portable hand-held spectrometer;
• determining a subsequent temperature processing step based on said identifying said resin-based composite material;
• and,
• heating said resin-based composite material at a sufficient time and temperature to incinerate said resin.