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Identifying and classifying minute particles found within materials is a crucial analysis tool used across various industries. Understanding the size, distribution, and characteristics of particles is critical because it directly impacts the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the material. Particle analysis is commonly used for:
Material Performance and Quality Control: Particle size can affect the behavior and functionality of materials in applications ranging from pharmaceuticals to construction. For instance, in pharmaceuticals, particle size impacts drug efficacy and stability. In construction, it influences the strength and durability of materials.
Environmental and Health Implications: Particle size analysis helps in assessing air quality and the impact of particulates on human health. It is vital for industries focused on indoor air quality, environmental monitoring, and public health.
Process Optimization: In manufacturing and process industries, controlling particle size can optimize production processes, improve material handling, and reduce waste. This is especially important in industries like automotive, aerospace, and food processing.
Compliance and Safety: Industries must comply with regulations that mandate specific particle size distributions for safety and performance. This is particularly relevant for sectors like pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and food safety.
Industries Served
Many industries perform particle analysis on raw materials and finished products as part of their standard quality control and safety measures, as well as for product development and failure analysis. Taking a look at some of the many ways industries use particle analysis highlights just how diverse and useful this powerful tool is.
Automotive and Aerospace
In the automotive and aerospace industries, particle characterization is crucial for understanding wear and fatigue in materials. By analyzing the size, shape, and distribution of particles within alloys and composites, engineers can enhance the durability and performance of critical components such as engines, gears, and structural parts. Characterizing particles in coatings and surface treatments ensures optimal application and performance, leading to better protection against corrosion, wear, and thermal degradation.
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Particle size and distribution are critical in drug formulations because smaller particles can improve the dissolution rate and bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Particle characterization ensures consistent drug performance and efficacy while also maintaining the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products for regulatory compliance.
Environmental and Indoor Air Quality
Characterizing airborne particulate matter helps in understanding pollution sources and their impact on the environment as well as identifying sources of allergens, dust, and other particulates that can affect air quality and human health. Analyzing suspended particles in water sources helps in assessing contamination levels and the effectiveness of filtration and purification systems.
Manufacturing and Industrial Applications
Understanding particle characteristics helps to optimize processes such as milling, mixing, and granulation, leading to improved product consistency and performance. Characterizing the powders used in additive manufacturing helps ensure the quality and reliability of printed components, affecting their mechanical properties and surface finish.
Mining and Minerals
Particle size analysis is crucial in the beneficiation of ores because it helps in optimizing grinding and separation processes, improving the efficiency and yield of mineral extraction, and ensuring the purity of extracted minerals. Characterizing particles in tailings also helps to design effective waste management strategies, reducing environmental impact.
Materials Science and Research
Particle characterization is fundamental in developing new materials with tailored properties. By understanding particle interactions at the micro and nanoscale, researchers can create materials with specific mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Analyzing the distribution and orientation of particles within composites is vital to enhancing their strength, flexibility, and durability.
Food and Beverage
Particle size and distribution influence the texture and mouthfeel of food products, and understanding how particles interact over time plays a key role in determining shelf life. Analyzing particle size and shape helps to ensure uniformity in the final product, maintaining consistency.
Techniques Used
Particle analysis is used across a wide range of materials, with particle sizes ranging from a few millimeters down to a few nanometers. A variety of techniques have been developed to meet the diverse needs of the industries that rely on particle analysis; from rapid, cost-effective solutions to incredibly detailed solutions that leverage automation and artificial intelligence.
- Manual and Automated Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): A beam of high-energy electrons is focused and scanned across the sample and detectors record the various interactions that occur. SEM is used to determine particle shape, size, composition, and texture. Automation and particle analysis software allow for the processing of large numbers of particles across multiple samples.
- Laser Diffraction: A laser passed through a sample is diffracted, absorbed, or diffused by particles, allowing detectors to measure particle size distributions.
- Optical Image Analysis (OIA): Microscopes, scanners, and cameras are used to magnify a sample to visually determine particle size and shape.
- Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS): Measures the fluctuations in the intensity of light scattered by particles in suspension, used to determine the size distribution of sub-micron particles.
- Sieve Method: By shaking granular materials through a series of sieves with progressively smaller openings, this method is used to determine particle size distribution.
- Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA): A specialized technique used to determine the size distribution and concentration of sub-micron (nanoparticles) in liquid suspension. A laser is passed through the sample to illuminate particles, a camera records the movement of particles in real-time, and specialized software calculates particle size distribution and concentration.
- High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HRSEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM): These advanced techniques are used to obtain detailed images and structural information about materials at the atomic and nanometer scales. HRSEM uses a focused beam of electrons to scan the surface of a sample, while HRTEM passes the beam through an extremely thin sample.
RJ Lee Group
RJ Lee Group has long been a pioneer in the measurement of the size distribution and chemistry of particles. Beginning with our work at US Steel in the 1970s and continuing with the development of the Personal SEM and IntelliSEM™ products, we have a proud history of innovation.
Today, we provide a wide range of particle analysis services and continue to specialize in the preparation and analysis of samples by automated Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). We work with clients across a wide range of industries to ensure quality, find solutions, and solve problems, like a recent analysis of powders that determined one lot was less spherical and more textured than the rest, which led to their production problems.
Contact RJ Lee Group to learn more about how we leverage the latest technology and a team of experienced scientific experts to provide our clients with particle analysis services that are unique in the industry.
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