Methodologies for Characterization of Aerospace Polymers/Energetic Materials – a Short Review

Abstract

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques, associated or not to others, are a well-studied subject used for characterizing polymers/energetic materials that have been employed mainly in aerospace industries. However, the infrared analyses are usually qualitative and performed using the mid-infrared. This paper discusses the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy qualitative and quantitative methodologies, coupled or not with thin layer chromatography and thermogravimetric analysis, for characterization of aerospace polymer systems, in some cases, using mid-infrared, near-infrared and far-infrared regions, by traditional accessories and the latest generation spectra mode, universal attenuated total reflection. This short review was made based on methodologies developed during the last two decades and published by many scientific and industrial research groups, emphasizing studies usually carried out in the last five years. A critical assessment and future trends were included.