Apparently NMR is the way to go:
C-NMR and H-NMR (carbon & hydrogen)
This should work fine if it's carbon based.
We've got an expert in Polymers on staff who is going to advise me on what is required. He assures me I haven't picked something too hard... so I tend to believe him.
I've got access to a lot of equipment... and I've even got a couple of the staff members interested (a polymer that is acid resistant, heat resistant and super slippery... could be quite useful in the lab). I'm hoping a few of them will also chip in with assistance if required.
Originally Posted By: MinivanMauler
Identifying an unknown polymer is a fairly major undertaking.
First, you'll have to isolate it from all the other junk it will be mixed with.
Then, you're probably looking at X-ray diffraction at a bare minimum. You may even need broadband ultrasonic attenuation analysis.
And then there's the issue of determining the average molecular weight.
Yeah, I know... sounds like FUN!
Keep us posted on your project.