Material characterization can use multiple analytical techniques and sample preparation steps to determine specific properties of compounds, enabling a comprehensive understanding of their behavior and performance.

Material characterization can be used in process development, root cause analysis, regulatory submission, and competitive analysis.

Key Material Characterization Services

Typical types of material characterization requests and the instruments often used to analyze them are discussed below. The test techniques used in these projects are modified depending on the type of material being analyzed.

  • Additive Analysis (chromatography, spectroscopy, SEM-EDS, TGA): Additives in polymers include antioxidants, colorants, inorganic fillers, fibers, and processing aids. Identification and quantitation can be used for quality control, deformulation, and root cause analysis.
  • Chromatography Testing (GC, LC): Chromatographic analysis is hugely impactful in medical devices and beyond. These techniques can provide insight into trace components and constituents of the polymers, as well as change products associated with processing, aging, or handling.
  • Crosslinking Structure (swell ratio, rheology, sol/gel, mechanical): Materials crosslinked for mechanical property improvement, solvent resistance, or environmental durability can be quantitatively assessed with a variety of analytical techniques.
  • Degradation Analysis (GPC, viscometry, chromatography, spectroscopy, microscopy, mechanical): Degradation analysis evaluates how polymers break down over time or under specific conditions. Degradation can result in reduced molecular weight, changed mechanical properties, and degradation products. Some materials are intended to degrade, and some cannot resist their environments.
  • Extractions (sample extraction, chromatography, spectroscopy): Extraction analysis is performed to assess additives packages, potentially leachable compounds, and potential contaminants. It can be used for chemical risk analysis, deformulation, and root cause analysis.
  • Hydrogel Characterization (spectroscopy, chromatography, crosslink analysis, release kinetics, microscopy, mechanical, degradation analysis): The unique properties and chemistries of hydrogels requires customized test methods built on standard test techniques.
  • Mechanical Analysis (tensile, compression, fatigue, impact, shear, peel, DMA): Mechanical analysis covers tests that often directly relate to end-use, such as tensile properties or peel strength. They are often the simplest tests to run and correlate with published material properties and standards.
  • Microscopy (optical, scanning electron microscopy): Microscopy can be critical to understanding surface changes due to the impact of the environment and processing conditions.
  • Molecular Weight Determination (GPC, MFI, viscometry, rheometry): The mechanical properties of polymers are directly related to their molecular weights. We use several techniques to provide molecular weight information on polymers, depending on their properties.
  • Polymer Testing & Analysis (spectroscopy, microscopy, chromatography, crosslinking, thermal, extractions, molecular weight, radiopacity): All test techniques described in this page have application to polymer analysis. The details of the test technique depend on the type of polymer used, often requiring different sample preparation techniques.
  • Radiopacity (X-ray, optical image analysis): Quantitative assessment of radiopacity of medical devices allows comparison of the benefits of radiopacifiers.
  • Residual Monomers (chromatography, spectroscopy, extraction): Monomers, the building blocks of polymers, may reside in the finished product due to incomplete polymerization. These residual monomers can affect mechanical properties and biocompatibility. CPG can measure residual monomers down to extremely low levels.
  • Rheological Analysis (shear rheometry, dilute solution viscometry, melt flow index): Rheological properties apply to both solids and liquids, and allow characterization of how a material flows or reacts to mechanical deformation in a dynamic manner.
  • Spectroscopic Characterization (FTIR, UV, NMR): Spectroscopic methods allow determination or confirmation of material composition.
  • Surface Energy-Wetting (Tensiometry, sessile drop contact angle, wicking): The surface morphology and chemistry of substrates will influence if liquids wet or resist coating the substrate. Surface energy analysis quantitates this behavior and helps identify surface features and contaminants.
  • Thermal Analysis (DSC, TGA, DMA, rheometry): Thermal properties are a critical component of the behavior of polymers. The presence of melt transitions and glass transitions profoundly impact end-use.

Material characterization services offer a wide array of analytical tools to evaluate physical, chemical, thermal, mechanical, and structural properties of materials. Tailored approaches ensure that each material type is analyzed accurately for its intended application. Whether for quality control or innovation-driven research, these services provide critical insights into material performance and reliability.