Innovative Material Physical Property Measurement
Let us show you a range of possibilities for measuring textural and physical properties of innovative materials with a texture analyser.
Due to the empirical or imitative way that the Texture Analyser range can be applied, it is called upon time and time again for use in innovative areas of industry such as the creation and development of new materials. Unbound by fundamental or standard methods and analysis options, the Texture Analyser provides the flexibility of method development unavailable in other materials testing instruments. For this reason, it is found in countless recent patents applications where testing solutions for the measurement of properties of new materials are required for mechanical testing problems which cannot be assessed by applying rigid, old-fashioned standard method approaches.
Examples of patents where the Texture Analyser has been employed to measure innovative materials:
New display related technologies are allowing devices to transform into various shapes at the stage of use such as folding, rolling or stretching like a rubber band which subsequently may satisfy demands for both a larger display (at the stage of use) and a smaller display for portability. However, adhesives for a foldable display are faced with delamination and panel breakage when the device is folded in severe temperature conditions. LG Chem used their TA.XTplus Texture Analyser in this patent to perform peel tests in their quest for the perfect adhesive composition.
Using a composition of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel with dispersed ferritin particles components of an unmanned vehicle are inspired by jellyfish that use their flexible body and tilt sensing to achieve swimming and turning. Scientists have been able to mimic the qualities of a jellyfish’s mesoglea employing their Texture Analyser in this patent to ensure the compression strength of the artificial mesoglea is suitable for the task and comparative to the physical properties of natural mesoglea.
In the home care field, there is a need for materials which encapsulate or entrain fragrance materials and then slowly release the fragrance to impart a pleasing scent. However, there are a number of considerations which demand attention from the industry, including a need for high active content, resistance to heat, appropriate hardness and elasticity, desirable water retention, and environmental compatibility. Using their Texture Analyser Dow Global Technologies optimised aqueous fragrance release gel formulations in this patent to achieve products with considerable strength, elasticity, and mouldability and suitable for fragrance gels.
3D Printed Materials
Many new materials have evolved in the last decade that have catered for new technologies such as 3D printing. Texture Analysis/Materials Testing is at the forefront of this technology as any 3D printed material needs to have structural integrity in order that it is fit for purpose, whether it is a created food product or a medical component. Mechanical properties are key to determining whether a printed material withstands the forces that are required to be applied to it without a compromise to its expected deformation.
Some examples of work in this field where the Texture Analyser has been employed include:
3D-printed veterinary dosage forms – A comparative study of three semi-solid extrusion printers
Development of Innovative Packaging and Alternative Materials
At the same time, the packaging industry has moved quickly to develop biodegradable and edible packaging and more recently by using byproducts of the food industry. These new packaging solutions however are expected to provide the same properties as traditional packaging materials and therefore, materials testing/texture analyser instruments are a vital tool in the strive for packaging perfection.
Some examples of work in this field where the Texture Analyser has been employed include:
Chia seeds to develop new biodegradable polymers for food packaging: Properties and biodegradability
Pack for Anaerobic Products designed by Henkel IP & Holding GmbH
Typical Packaging Testing Solutions
A selection of special attachments and typical measurements which are commonly used in this application area are shown, although this does not necessarily include the complete range available for the testing of packaging. Test procedures include: compression, puncture / penetration, tension, fracture / bending, extrusion, cutting / shearing.
Typical measurements include: • Seal Strength • Friction • Peel Strength • Puncture • Tensile Strength • Resilience • Sachet / Tube Content Removal Force • Crush Resistance • Burst Strength
The Texture Analyser range is capable of quantifying a wide variety of properties of such products as: Cartons, tubs, sachets, tubes, bottles, cans, films.
Tensile Grips
Used for the assessment of seal strength.
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Self-tightening Roller Grips
Can be used to measure tensile strength of packaging where slippage at the grip face may be a problem.
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Horizontal Friction System
Used to assess packaging friction properties.
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Friction Rig
Used to assess packaging friction properties according to ASTM-D 1894-90.
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Film Support Rig
This rig allows testing of thin, film- like products to measure the burst strength, resilience and relaxation properties.
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Compression Platen
Used to assess packaging compressive strength.
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Large Peel Strength Rig (45° peel action)
Adjustable peel action measurement for e.g. yoghurt, ready meal packaging. It accommodates pots up to 120mm diameter.
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Universal Peel Strength Rig
Allows measurement of the peel strength of e.g. yoghurt containers up to 95mm diameter and 120mm height at three angles.
Community Registered Design
Sachet / Tube Extrusion Rig
Allows manufacturers to measure the ease of removal and application of products such as sauces, pastes, creams and gels.
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Articulated Tensile Grips
Allows the gripping of thin materials while also providing rotational flexibility.
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Horizontal Friction System
Used to assess packaging friction properties.
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Ring Pull Rig
Measures the force required to pull on a ringpull or assess ease of opening by a consumer
Community Registered Design
Testing of Electronic Product Physical Characteristics
Materials testing can also be applied to the electronics industry. Typical applications include:
• Measurement of the peel strength of printed circuit board track
• The force required to pull components from a printed circuit board
• Strength of crimp joints
• The push button and membrane micro-switch where the measurement of the change of resistance during depression is measured
• The characterisation of a conductive gasket as it is compressed, measuring the force required to reduce its electrical resistance to form an effective RF seal
Some examples of work in this field where the Texture Analyser has been employed include:
Testing the Behaviour of a Keyboard using a Texture Analyser: When performing an objective test on a keyboard, the main components under investigation are the switches, actuated by pressing keys. From keyboard to keyboard, there is little a given manufacturer can do to affect a switch's performance. The switches come in batches from switch makers, and keyboard manufacturers mount them onto printed circuit boards and do not have the ability to alter them. Seth Colaner at Tom’s Hardware developed a procedure for testing mechanical keyboard switches using a TA.XTplus Texture Analyser. Read our blog post
Tyco Electronics used their TA.XTplus Texture Analyser in the patent 'Joint bodies and methods for covering electrical cables and connections' for gel characterisation (hardness, stress relaxation and tack force) of their new development of electrically insulating gels.
Commscope Technologies used their TA.XT2 Texture Analyser in the patent 'Cable enclosure assemblies and methods for using the same' to measure the hardness, stress relaxation and tack of samples. The invention is a cable sealing assembly for providing an environmental seal about a cable, including a housing, a flowable cable sealant and a compression feature.
Researchers from Tampere University used their TA.XTplus Texture Analyser to investigate biodegradable, flexible and transparent tactile pressure sensors based on rubber leaf skeletons. Capacitive sensors have many applications in tactile sensing, human-machine interfaces, on-body sensors, and patient monitoring. Particularly in biomedical applications, it would be beneficial if the sensor is disposable and readily degradable for efficient recycling. This study reported a biodegradable capacitive tactile pressure sensor based on sustainable and bio resourced materials. Silver-nanowire-coated rubber tree leaf skeletons were used as transparent and flexible electrodes while a biodegradable clear tape was used as the dielectric layer.
The following are typical examples of fixtures and products used for assessing Electronics using a Texture Analyser:
Resistance Conversion Unit
In conjunction with the TA.XTplus / TA.HDplus Texture Analyser's multi-channel data acquisition capability, this unit enables the characterisation of electro-mechanical products by measuring and analysing force-distance and resistance-distance characteristics co-incidentally.
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Measurement of keyboard actuation force
We are dedicated to optimising the physical property measurements of your new materials. But don’t just take our word for it, read an example of what our customers have to say.
