Material Characterization

As a fundamental process in the field of materials science, material characterization refers to the process in which a material's structure and properties are probed and measured. Material characterization techniques study the microscopic structure and properties of materials, but they also include macroscopic techniques such as mechanical testing, thermal analysis and density calculation. In addition to electron microscopy and surface analysis techniques (see sections electron microscopy, elemental analysis and particle characterization) we offer rheometers, viscosimeters, polarimeters and refractometers. While viscometers measure the viscosity and flow properties of liquids, rheometers are used for determining the behavior of non-Newtonian fluids and measure the way a fluid responds to applied shear or stress, providing data on material structure and elasticity. Polarimeters are utilized for measuring the angle of optical rotation of light, and refractometers for refractive index measurements. These instruments are used in any field requiring the study of flow properties, such as food and beverage testing, chemical industry, paint and lubricant industry, materials science, pharmaceutical industry, oil industry, etc.

Rheometers

Thermo Scientific rheometers and viscometers are designed to accurately measure the properties of fluids and other complex materials, helping you get the most information from your material. Thermo Scientific's HAAKE rheometers are known...

Viscometers

Extruders and Compounders

Thermo Scientific extruders and compounders enable you to achieve reliable scale-up, reduced time to market, and controlled, continuous processing. Extruders utilize pressure and agitation to facilitate the mixture of various specimens o...

Polarimeters

Polarimeters are used to measure the rotation of polarized light as it passes through a sample of an optically active substance. These instruments are oftenly used in industries such as pharma, cosmetics, sugar refining, drug manufacturi...

Refractometers

A refractometer is an analytical instrument that relies on the refraction principle to measure the refractive index (RI) of a substance. Being used to determine the purity and concentration of medication ingredients, measure the sugar co...

Material Characterization Applications

Rheometers and viscometers are instruments designed to characterize various materials. Viscometers measure the viscosity and flow properties of liquids, while rheometers, their more sophisticated relatives, measure the way a fl...

FAQ: Material Characterization

What is a refractometer and what is it used for?

A refractometer is a measuring instrument that determines the refractive index of light in a liquid or solid substance. It is most commonly used to measure Brix values (sugar content), salinity, solution concentration, and similar parameters.

What makes ATAGO refractometers special?

ATAGO refractometers are known for high accuracy and repeatability, Japanese manufacturing quality, ease of use, and a wide range of models (handheld, digital, laboratory, and process models).

What types of ATAGO refractometers are available?

ATAGO offers handheld refractometers (no power supply required, ideal for fieldwork), digital refractometers (fast and precise readings on a display), laboratory refractometers (high precision for quality control), and process refractometers (continuous measurement in production lines).

What is a polarimeter?

A polarimeter is an instrument that measures the optical rotation of substances, meaning how a sample rotates polarized light. It is most commonly used for the analysis of sugars and optically active substances.

What are ATAGO polarimeters used for?

ATAGO polarimeters are used for determination of sugar content (sucrose, glucose, fructose), quality control in the food industry, pharmaceutical analysis, and chemical and research testing.

What is the difference between a polarimeter and a refractometer?

A refractometer measures the refractive index of light (e.g., Brix). A polarimeter measures optical rotation (degrees or International Sugar Scale). They are often used together for comprehensive product quality control.

What is the difference between a rheometer and a viscometer?

A viscometer only measures viscosity (flow resistance) of simple Newtonian fluids. A rheometer measures complex, non-Newtonian, and viscoelastic behaviors (how materials deform and recover), offering a wider range of shear rates and is essential for analyzing paints, polymers, foods, and pharmaceuticals.

How to increase extruder productivity?

Increased extruder output can typically be achieved by increasing the specific torque of the extruder (i.e., increasing motor power). Free volume is much more important than high torque, especially in small extruders. Our extruder design uses a high-free-volume approach with appropriate specific torque to generate the necessary throughput.

What are Twin-screw extruders?

Twin-screw extruders are well-established tools for the mixing, compounding, and processing of materials. They are used in polymer, pharmaceutical, battery, and food applications to efficiently develop and produce high-quality products using a continuous process. The modularity gives process design flexibility for research, development, production, and quality control.

What is a torque rheometer?

A torque rheometer is a highly modular measuring, mixing, and extrusion system for material development, process development, and quality control. Process-relevant material data can easily be obtained, including melting behavior, influence of additives, temperature stability, shear stability, melt viscosity, and more.