RMS Foundation
Bischmattstrasse 12
2544 Bettlach
Switzerland
Phone +41 32 644 2000
METHODS
Particle analysis at the RMS Foundation
We support you with a comprehensive range of analytical methods for the characterization and assessment of particles. Whether you need quality control of powders for additive manufacturing, analysis of particulate residues on products or investigation of wear particles from mechanical simulations: We oprovide tailored solutions for your specific requirements:
Anchor: production-additives-manufacturing
Production /
Additive manufacturing
When powders are used as raw materials, the quality of the powder is the main focus. Among other things, we analyze
- Size distribution
- Shape
- Chemical composition incl. impurities
- Flow behavior such as pourability, tap and bulk density
- Specific surface area (BET)
Anchor: particulate residues
Particulate residues
During production, various particulate residues can remain on your products, for example due to mechanical processing, handling, cleaning or transportation. We determine:
- Quantity
- Size / size distribution
- Shape
- Chemical composition
Anchor: abrasion particles
Abrasion particles
Mechanical fatigue tests or usage simulations (e.g. hip joint simulation) generate abrasion particles that we can also analyze:
- Quantity
- Size / size distribution
- Shape
- Chemical composition
According to which standards do we test?
Whenever possible, we carry out our testing services in accordance with or based on these international standards:
- ISO 3923 Metallic powders - Determination of apparent density
- ISO 3953 Metallic powders - Determination of tap density
- ISO 4490 Metallic powders - Determination of flow rate by means of a calibrated funnel (Hall flowmeter)
- ISO 9277 Determination of the specific surface area of solids by gas adsorption - BET method
- ISO 13320 Particle size analysis - Laser diffraction methods
- ISO 17853 Wear of implant materials - Polymer and metal wear particles - Isolation and characterization
- ISO 16232 Road vehicles - Cleanliness of components and systems
- ASTM F1877 Standard Practice for Characterization of Particles
- VDA 19.1 Technical cleanliness
Depending on the application, we also work with other specific standards.
What methods do we use?
We use the following test methods for the above-mentioned questions from various application areas:
Quantity
- Gravimetry
- Quantitative particle analysis
Size
- Technical cleanliness/microscopy for (filtered) macroscopic particles from 10 µm
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM ) for (filtered) microscopic particles from 50 nm
- Laser diffraction gives the size distribution:
- Particles in liquid from 40 nm to 2 mm
- Dry measurement from 400 nm to 2 mm
Shape of the particles
- Technical cleanliness/microscopy for (filtered) macroscopic particles from 10 µm
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM ) for (filtered) microscopic particles from 50 nm
Chemical composition of the particles
We analyze powder samples (e.g. metal powder) with:
- X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for precise determination of the main and secondary components
- carrier gas hot extraction (TGHE) for C, N, O, H, Ar & S
- Mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) for trace analyses (e.g. heavy metals Pb, Cd, Hg)
We analyze individual particles as follows:
- Technical cleanliness: differentiation of metallic and non-metallic particles using polarization filters.
- EDX (energy dispersive X-ray analysis in the SEM): Determination of size, shape and composition from Ø 50 nm
- Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR): Identification of organic particles from Ø 10 µm
Pourability, tap and bulk density
These parameters are crucial for assessing the suitability of powder batches (e.g. for additive manufacturing).
Specific surface
We determine the specific surface area of a powder by gas adsorption using the BET method (Brunauer, Emmett and Teller).
Who is your contact person?
Roman Heuberger
Dr. sc. ETH Zurich, Certified Materials Engineer ETH
Head of Materials Testing and Consulting
+41 32 644 2022
Dr. sc. ETH Zurich, Certified Materials Engineer ETH
Head of Materials Testing and Consulting
+41 32 644 2022