DEFORMULATION: The Art and Science of Separation, Identification and Quantification of Ingredients in a Complex Formulation.
Over the years, Chemir Analytical Services, Inc. has developed expertise in the process of deformulating or reverse engineering a product. Our experienced chemists, including several Ph.D. chemists, have performed many deformulations and have the problem-solving skills and the tools to successfully deformulate almost any type of product, simple or complex.
This analytical service uses state-of-the-art spectroscopic, thermal, chromatographic and microscopic techniques and conventional extraction methods to identify and semi-quantify the components of a complex mixture. The components may include polymers, plasticizers, fillers and other minor components such as stabilizers, lubricants, antioxidants, flame retardants, etc. Although we do not guarantee a "cookbook recipe", our analysis, in most instances, identifies the chemical class of major and minor components. A computer library search is also performed when needed to locate the trade names of similar, commercially-available materials.
Types of Products Deformulated
Chemir/Polytech has deformulated a wide variety of products which include: plastics and rubber from the automotive, medical device and injection molding industries; consumer and industrial detergents and cleaners; textiles used in garments and upholstery applications; pharmaceutical products; inks for laser printers, finger printing and packaging; cosmetics and toiletries like shampoos, face creams and sunscreen lotions. Our customers also use the deformulation service for different reasons. It is used to identify batch-to-batch raw material variations, ingredients in a competitor’s product, product contamination, comparative analysis of a "good vs. bad" product or for products involved in patent infringement litigation.
Preliminary Information
The deformulation process can be quite complex depending on the product or material being analyzed. It benefits the customer to provide us with as much information as possible about the sample to be deformulated. This includes Material Safety Data Sheets, technical data sheets, a description of how the product is used and any theories as to what the ingredients might be. This is valuable information that the chemist will use to customize the method of analysis.
Initial Studies
When a sample is received at Chemir Analytical Services, any product information from the customer is reviewed, and an initial assessment of the material’s bulk properties is made. This evaluation may include color, form, appearance, odor and other properties. In the hands of an experienced chemist, this information may give some valuable clues which will lead to a more productive analysis.
Chromatography & Solvent Extractions
Sample preparation is the key to the success of any analysis. Chromatography and solvent extractions are used as an effective tool for preparing materials for deformulation. Chromatography, including Gas Chromatography (GC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), serves to separate complex materials into their components. Solvent extraction methods generally utilize larger samples in an effort to separate components for identification. These techniques give specific information as to the identity or chemical class of a product or material when utilized in conjunction with spectroscopic techniques.
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopic techniques are used to provide specific information that helps identify the chemical class of the various components. Chemir Analytical Services’ chemists typically use one or more of the following during a deformulation analysis:
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) - The material is analyzed with infrared light which is absorbed as specific parts of the molecules are caused to bend and stretch. Different parts of a molecule absorb at specific frequencies and the spectrum gives information about what functional groups are present in the material. This can also be used as a fingerprint of the material.
Mass Spectroscopy - The chemical component is bombarded with electrons producing a charged material which is then subjected to an electric field. It is possible to separate and count the charged particles according to their molecular weight which helps to positively identify the components.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) - This technique can be used to determine the structure of many organic compounds. It gives information regarding how the atoms in a molecule are connected and how they are positioned relative to other functional groups.
Thermogravimetric Analysis & Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) is used to analyze a material with respect to changes due to heating of the sample. Common information that is gained from TGA includes percentage of moisture or fragrance, percentage of organic compounds and the amount of inorganic material in a sample. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) gives information about transformations which materials undergo as they are heated. The technique detects minute changes in the properties and can offer valuable information regarding material identities, and melting and softening properties.
Conclusion
Chemir Analytical Services’ deformulation service combines the problem-solving skills of our experienced chemists, many of whom hold a Ph.D. in their area of expertise, and powerful analytical techniques to make possible the determination of the composition of complex formulations. We have the experience and the capabilities to work with you and improve your business with valuable information about your product or your competitor’s product.