Non-invasive identification of polymers in cultural heritage collections: evaluation, optimisation and application of portable FTIR (ATR and external reflectance) spectroscopy to three-dimensional polymer-based objects

Heritage Science

Table 5 Sampling technique suitability by polymer

Object	Polymer	ATR clamped	ATR handheld	ER
Sunglasses	CA	✓	✓	✓
Vanity box	CN	✓	✓	✓
Ashtray	PF		✗	✓
Buckle	CSF		✗	✓
Canister lid	MF		✗	✓
Jelly mould	PS	✓	✓	✓
Camera body	ABS	✓*	✓	✓*
Goblet	PP	✓	✓	✓*
Bottle lid	PE	✓	✓	✓
Knife handle	PMMA	✓	✓	✓
Buttons	Polyester resin	✓	✓*	✓
Flash screen	PC	✓	✓	✓
Cable	PVC plasticised	✓	✓	✗
Padding	PUR foam	✓	✓	✗
Light meter screen	PA	✓*	✓	✓*

✓ polymer suitable for technique; ✗, polymer not suitable for technique; ✓*, polymer suitable for technique but object characteristics impacted spectra