Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy using attenuated total internal reflection (FTIR-ATR) was found to be a reliable analytical method for evaluating a two-component joint sealant material. A calibration curve was developed from measuring the peak heights of infrared absorption bands unique to the different components in the two-component coal-tar modified polymeric joint sealant and relating these to the weight percent of the base component. A nonlinear relationship was found to exist between the ratio of the peak height of Component A over the peak height of Component B versus the weight percentof Component B added to the two-component mixture. FTIR-ATR proved to be a useful and expedient way to evaluate the composition of the joint sealant during or after the mixing and curing process; it may, after appropriate investigation, have potential for use in quality control of joint sealing material installations and forensic investigations of failures in such installations.
Samenvatting