Patent ID: 8044354
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of identifying a polymer containing surface on a resin-based composite material comprising: irradiating said polymer containing surface with infrared energy over a spectrum of wavelengths; collecting one or more spectra of said infrared energy reflected from said surface over said spectrum of wavelengths; performing multivariate processing at one or more wavelengths comprising the one or more infrared spectra; comparing results of said multivariate processing with one or more predetermined material classification models derived from model material infrared energy spectra collected from one or more model material surfaces, said one or more model material surfaces each comprising a known polymer material composition; identifying said polymer containing surface based on a similarity of said results of said multivariate processing at one or more wavelengths with said predetermined material classification models; determining a subsequent temperature processing step based on said identifying said polymer containing surface; and, heating said resin-based composite material at a sufficient time and temperature to incinerate said resin.