Process
AVEKA‘s Characterization Lab provides a comprehensive array of analytical services. Particle systems including powders, microcapsules and dispersions are often complex and can require several methods for analysis. AVEKA‘s offering can range from one-sample requests to large-scope or multiple sample runs. The lab has the chemical and technical expertise to determine test methods and interpret the resulting data to help evaluate raw materials and finished products. Standard turnaround time for sample analysis is 2-3 days.
Capabilities and Equipment Specs
Particle Size Distribution
- Horiba LB-500
- Horiba LA-950, LA-930, and LA-910
- Gilson Sonic AutoSiever
- W.S. Tyler Ro-Tap Sieve Shaker
- Microtrac Camsizer XT Dynamic Imaging Analyzer
- Multisizer Coulter Counter 3 and 4e
Particle Imaging
- Microtrac Camsizer XT Dynamic Imaging Analyzer
- Phenom Scanning Electron Microscope
- Leica Optical Microscope
Thermal Analysis
- Thermogravimetric Analyzer, TA Instruments Q500
- Differential Scanning Calorimeter, TA Instruments Q100
Water Content
- Loss-on-drying and solids analyzer, Arizona Computrac Max 4000XL
- Metrohm 852 Titrando Karl Fischer Analyzer with a Metrohm 874 Oven
- OHAUS and Mettler Toledo moisture analyzers
Rheological Measurements
- Freeman Technology FT4 Powder Rheometer
- ATS RheoSystems STRESSTECH Constant Stress Rheometer System
- Brookfield Viscometer
Microbiology Testing
- Aerobic Plate Count, AOAC 990.12 (3 days)
- Yeast and Mold, AOAC 997.02 (5 days)
- Yeast activity, YC-100 Nucleocounter
- Enterobacteriaceae, AFNOR 3M 01/06 09/97
- E-Coli, AOAC 991.14
- Coliforms, AOAC 991.14
- Staphylococcus aureus, AOAC 2003.7
- Sanitation Verification of Metal Surfaces, Neogen AccuPoint ATP Meter
Color Testing
- Lovibond PFX 880 Transmission Colorimeter
- ColorFlex EZ Reflectance Spectrophotometer
Additional Services
- Zeta Potential, Colloidal Dynamics ZetaProbe
- BET Surface Area, Horiba SA-6200 Analyzer
- Specific Gravity and Density, Quantachrome Helium Pycnometer
- High Performance Liquid Chromotography, HPLC
- pH Analysis
- Conductivity Testing
- Chemical Oxygen Demand, COD, analysis
- Bulk and Tap Density
Factors to Consider
- Is the material hazardous and require any precautions when handling?
- Can the sample be used up during testing or must it remain intact?
- Is particle settling or segregation possible during sampling?
- What solvents provide proper dispersion and suspension for size analysis?
- Do you require a specific ASTM method?
- Are the particles nanometer-, micron- or millimeter-sized?
