Contact person
Karin Hallstensson
Labingenjör
Contact Karin
Identification of glass fragments
Samples and fragments of unknown material that may be glass are analyzed and identified. It can for example concern customer complaints where glass splinters or glass fragments were found in foodstuff.
Purpose
The purpose is to verify whether splinters, fragments, pieces are of glass, to identify the type of glass, and to give an opinion on possible origin.
The result can be used as a basis for dialogue with customers in complaints cases, and to determine whether the source can be derived from their own production.
Method
The examination begins with a visual and light microscope review. We can often determine at an early stage if it is not glass, but for example plastic. Depending on the size and appearance, it can sometimes be seen how the glass broke and some information about how it was manufactured. The next step is to analyze the sample using X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in scanning electron microscope (SEM). For the analysis, we need to cut out and prepare a small piece. If the sample is very small, it all goes to the analysis.
We compare with known glass samples and get a quantitative chemical analysis of the main components. We can then decide what type of glass it is and give comments about what such glass is usually used for. Many glasses are chemically quite similar, but if you have samples of a possible original glass to compare with, it can be determined whether it can be the same source or not.
Deliveries
A report with photo, chemical composition, and expert opinion on glass type and possible origin.