Polymer

Absorption Ranges(cm-1)
[Look for a single absorption in these regions, unless stated otherwise.]

Type of Vibration causing IR absorption

Nylon 6.6:

3500-3300

N-H  Stretch of Amide

3000-2850 (Several bands)

H-C-H Stretches of Alkane

1700-1625

C=O Stretch of Amide

Polypropylene (PP-5):

3000-2850 (Several bands)

H-C-H Stretches of Alkane

1400-1350

H-C-H Bend of Alkane (from CH3)

Polyethylene
(HDPE-2 & LDPE-4):

3000-2850 (Several bands)

H-C-H Stretches of Alkane

1490-1450 (two bands)

H-C-H Bend of Alkane

750-700 (two bands)

H-C-H Bend of Alkane

Polystyrene (PS-6): 

3100-3000

H-C= Stretch of Aromatic

3000-2850 (Several bands)

H-C-H Stretches of Alkane

1600-1580

C=C Stretch of Aromatic

1490-1450 (two bands)

H-C-H Bend of Alkane

750-700 (two bands)

H-C-H Bend of Alkane

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PETE-1):

3000-2850 (Several bands)

H-C-H Stretches of Alkane

1750-1675 (Strong band)

C=O Stretch of Ester

Poly(vinyl chloride) (V-3):

3000-2850 (Several bands)

H-C-H Stretches of Alkane

750-700 (two bands)

H-C-H Bend of Alkane

650-630

C-Cl Stretch of Halide

Polypropylene (PP-5):

3000-2850 (Several bands)

H-C-H Stretches of Alkane

1400-1350

H-C-H Bend of Alkane (from CH3)