Precision analytics

Key Aspects of Material Characterization

Physical Properties:

• Morphology: Particle size, shape, and surface topography (e.g., using SEM, TEM, AFM).
• Density: Bulk density, tapped density, and true density.
• Porosity: Pore size distribution and surface area (e.g., BET analysis).
• Crystallinity: Degree of crystallinity and polymorphic forms (e.g., XRD, DSC).

Chemical Properties:

• Composition: Elemental and molecular composition (e.g., using FTIR, NMR, XPS, EDX).
• Purity: Identification and quantification of impurities or contaminants (e.g., HPLC, GC-MS).
• Stability: Chemical stability under various conditions (e.g., thermal, oxidative, hydrolytic).

Mechanical Properties:

• Hardness: Resistance to deformation (e.g., Vickers, Rockwell hardness tests).
• Tensile Strength: Resistance to breaking under tension.
• Elasticity: Ability to return to original shape after deformation.
• Compression and Shear Strength: Resistance to compressive and shear forces.

Thermal Properties:

• Melting Point: Temperature at which a material transitions from solid to liquid (e.g., DSC, TGA).
• Thermal Stability: Resistance to decomposition at high temperatures.
• Thermal Conductivity: Ability to conduct heat.
• Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): Temperature at which amorphous materials transition from glassy to rubbery states.

Functional Properties:

• Surface Properties: Wettability, adhesion, and surface energy (e.g., contact angle measurements).
• Rheological Properties: Flow and deformation behavior (e.g., viscosity, shear thinning).
• Optical Properties: Refractive index, transparency, and color (e.g., UV-Vis spectroscopy).
• Electrical Properties: Conductivity, resistivity, and dielectric strength.