XPS or ESCA Analysis:
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Determines the surface elemental composition for all elements except hydrogen and helium
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Determines the chemical phases present both quantitatively and for complex phases
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Contrasts surface chemistry with interior chemistry either by argon ion sputtering or by fresh grinding
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Surface chemistry is often very different from the bulk chemistry and dependent upon environment
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Surface chemistry dominates in reactions with other materials
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Contaminant detection and identification on surfaces
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Determine causes of wetting and adhesive bonding problems
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Determine degree of surface hydration
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Determine cause of sintering problems
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Identify fill materials of plastics, composite materials, paints, primers, sealants, thermal compounds, and adhesives after burning off polymer matrix with TGA
SEM Analysis:
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Views surface morphology
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Measures particle sizes
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Provides evidence for uniformity or not
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Images agglomerated particles well
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Examine rough surfaces
Optical Microscopy:
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Checks color uniformity for many particles
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Checks light transmission and reflection uniformity
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Suggests the presence of multiple chemistries and sometimes the nature of the differences
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Determine particle sizes and shapes
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Determine the distribution of particles in transparent media such as glass and some ceramics and plastics
TGA or Thermogravimetric Analysis:
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Determines if particles decompose and, if so, at what temperature
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Often allows quantitative chemical analysis by weight
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Measure weight of inorganic particles in a polymer matrix, such as plastics, composite materials, paints, primers, sealants, thermal compounds, and adhesives by burning off polymer matrix in air or oxygen
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Prepares inorganic particles from plastics, etc., for XPS analysis and SEM or optical microscopy
DSC or Differential Scanning Calorimetry Analysis:
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Measures particle melting temperature and heat of fusion
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Determines temperature and energy of reaction between particles and another material
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Measures particle oxidation temperature and energies
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Measures heat absorption by five retardant fill materials such as aluminum trihydrate or magnesium hydroxide
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Detects particle structural phase changes
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Measures the specific heat
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Measures glass transition temperature of polymer particles
FTIR or Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis:
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Identifies organic material in particle form or on particles, whether a surface treatment or a contaminant
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Determines whether carbonates, phosphates, nitrates, nitrites, sulfates, or water are present
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Identifies organic binders used to consolidate particles in abrasive wheels, cutting discs, brake pads, and other applied materials
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