GC-MS

What Is GC-MS?

GC-MS works in two stages:

Gas Chromatography (GC) separates compounds based on volatility and interaction with the column.
Mass Spectrometry (MS) identifies each separated compound by its mass spectrum.

This combination allows both separation and confident identification, even when multiple components are present at low levels.

What GC-MS Measures

GC-MS can detect and identify:

Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds
Unknown impurities and contaminants
Residual solvents and processing aids
Additives, plasticizers, and degradation products
Odor-causing compounds
Trace organic components in complex matrices

Quantitative analysis is available when suitable reference standards are used.

Why Use GC-MS?

GC-MS is chosen when simple separation or screening methods are not sufficient. It helps answer questions such as:

What is this unknown compound?
What is causing an unexpected odor or outgassing?
Are there impurities or contaminants present at trace levels?
Do two materials have the same organic composition?
Has degradation produced new chemical species?

GC-MS is one of the most reliable techniques for unknown identification in materials analysis.

Typical Application Scenarios

Unknown Identification & Contamination Analysis

Identification of unknown peaks or residues
Investigation of foreign materials and contamination sources
Root-cause analysis of odor, discoloration, or performance changes

Polymers, Plastics & Rubber

Residual monomer and solvent analysis
Additive and plasticizer profiling
Comparison of formulations or suppliers

Deformulation & Reverse Engineering

Identification of low-molecular-weight formulation components
Competitive product analysis
Support for formulation understanding

Pharmaceuticals & Medical Products

Residual solvent testing
Impurity and degradation product identification
Stability studies

Failure Analysis & Troubleshooting

Investigation of chemical degradation
Comparison of “good vs. failed” materials
Identification of process-related contaminants

Sample Types

GC-MS can be applied to:

solids (with appropriate extraction or headspace methods)
liquids and solutions
polymers, resins, and coatings
adhesives, sealants, and consumer products

Sample preparation methods may include headspace analysis, solvent extraction, thermal desorption, or derivatization, depending on the analytical goal.

What You Will Receive

Each GC-MS project is delivered with a structured report designed for engineering and decision-making. A typical deliverable includes:

test objective and sample description
sample preparation and GC-MS conditions
chromatograms and mass spectra
compound identification with confidence assessment
qualitative and/or quantitative results
comparison summaries (batch vs. batch, supplier vs. supplier)
interpretation of findings and their relevance to performance
recommendations for follow-up testing or corrective actions

Why Choose Xinbodi for GC-MS?

Strong expertise in unknown identification and complex mixtures
Access to comprehensive mass spectral libraries
Flexible sample preparation tailored to your material
Clear interpretation beyond peak lists
Support for R&D, QC, deformulation, and failure investigations
Confidential handling of proprietary formulations and data