Characterization of materials

Materials characterization encompasses a set of essential analyses for understanding, measuring, and documenting the mechanical, structural, and physicochemical properties of a material. This service enables the identification of its composition, the evaluation of its strength, the observation of its microstructure, and the determination of its actual performance under operating conditions. Indispensable for the packaging, materials, and polymer industries, this analysis is relevant in research and development, quality control, and failure analysis.

Importance of characterization

Materials must meet stringent requirements to ensure their proper functioning, durability, and regulatory compliance. A comprehensive characterization allows for the assessment of material compatibility, the anticipation of breakage risks, the verification of production batch conformity, the identification of defects or anomalies, and the validation of R&D innovations. For manufacturers, it is a key step in controlling manufacturing processes, optimizing formulations, selecting the right suppliers, and ensuring product safety before market launch.

Analytical methods

Several complementary techniques can be used depending on the needs:

• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) : allows for fine observation of the material surface, identification of defects, cracks, porosity or heterogeneities, as well as morphological analysis.
• X-ray diffraction (XRD) : reference technique for analyzing crystalline phases, material mineralogy, structural order and identification of compounds present.
• Mechanical testing : measurements of hardness (Vickers, Shore), tension, compression, bending, resilience or profilometry to evaluate the material's resistance to mechanical stresses.
• Profilometry : characterization of the roughness, surface reliefs or topography of the material.
  These tools allow for a complete analysis, ranging from atomic structure to mechanical performance.

Analyzed matrices

Materials characterization applies to many types of materials: engineering plastics, polymers, composites, resins, ceramics, metals, mineral materials, packaging films, recycled materials, technical textiles, bio-based materials, and manufactured parts. It is useful for raw materials, semi-finished products, finished products, as well as for defect analysis and post-failure assessment.

Interest for professionals

Manufacturers, design offices, formulators, R&D engineers, and quality teams use materials characterization to: validate product conformity, optimize formulations, control material stability, analyze the impact of manufacturing processes, investigate failures, compare prototypes, or certify batches for production. It also allows them to verify material performance under specific thermal, mechanical, or chemical conditions, ensuring suitability for the final application.

YesWeLab Expertise

YesWeLab collaborates with expert laboratories in structural and mechanical analysis, equipped with advanced analytical facilities including XRD, SEM, mechanical testing, profilometry, and many other specialized techniques. The majority of our partners are ISO 17025 or COFRAC certified or accredited, ensuring the reliability of the results. We support you in defining your analytical needs, selecting the appropriate methods, and managing your samples from start to finish. Thanks to our digital platform, manufacturers benefit from a seamless, responsive service that meets the specific requirements of their industry.

Other relevant analyses from the YesWeLab catalogue

• FTIR analysis of materials
• Mechanical tests (tensile, compression, hardness)
• Failure analysis and material expertise
• Thermal analysis (DSC, TGA)
• Advanced SEM Observations