Surface, particle and polymer analytics

Innovative products are increasingly refined by customized surface design, whose processes and surface compositions must be controlled up to the submicroscopic or even atomic level. This is because adhesion, wetting, wear or corrosion are already influenced by the slightest contamination. Therefore, the precise characterization of the chemical, physical and morphological surface properties of materials, workpieces, components and powders is not only essential during product development, but also in process control, quality assurance as well as in damage analysis. Only recent methods of surface analysis provide access to this information.

Research areas

Surface analytics

Innovative products are increasingly refined by customized surface design, whose processes and surface compositions must be controlled up to the submicroscopic or even atomic level. This is because adhesion, wetting, wear or corrosion are already influenced by the slightest contamination. Therefore, the precise characterization of the chemical, physical and morphological surface properties of materials, workpieces, components and powders is not only essential during product development, but also in process control, quality assurance as well as in damage analysis. Only recent methods of surface analysis provide access to this information.

Particle analytics

The knowledge of the particle size and its distribution, the particle shape and morphology as well as the surface charge and its material composition is of essential importance for many questions in nano- and microtechnology. These particle properties can be determined by various methods available at Fraunhofer IGB.

Biopolymer and polymer analysis

The molar mass distribution is an important characteristic of polymeric materials. However, oftentimes thermal and mechanical properties as well as the chemical composition of (bio) polymers are of great interest. With the methods available at Fraunhofer IGB, polymeric materials can be comprehensively characterized with regard to the respective application.

Further analytical methods

Further physical and chemical characterizations can be determined by subsequent analytical methods. These include the analysis of surface tensions (tensiometry), of absorption behavior of UV and visible light (UV/VIS spectroscopy) and viscosity (rheology) of liquids, as well as detection of radicals (electron spin resonance), the investigation of thin films (ellipsometry) and others.

Application areas

 

Damage analysis

In damage analysis, oftentimes the analytical problem cannot be clearly formulated at first. Contaminations or component failures are typical examples that need to be investigated. In ideal circumstances, we can determine the cause of the problem after the investigation and initiate countermeasures together with you.

Quality and process control

In this case, the analytical problem is usually precisely known. Examples are control of cleaning or coating processes. Additionally, many analytical methods can be used in production. We will be happy to advise you concerning your issue as well as to carry out measurements in the laboratory for you.

Optimization of product properties

In order to optimize components or surfaces, the roughness, wetting or chemical composition, for example, must be determined. Here we offer a wide range of analytical methods for customers.