Texture Analysis in action: the Lipstick Break Strength Rig

The LIPSTICK BREAK STRENGTH RIG (A/LC) enables a cantilever test on lipstick samples.

Lipstick is a moulded, solid fatty base containing dissolved and suspended colourants having a number of technical prerequisites. An important property sought by users is that the product must not bend, crumble, crack or break during application.

Selection of the correct base ingredient quantities, for example waxes of specific melting points, is such to formulate a product with moulded stick resilience, which possesses enough rigidity to withstand firm application to the lips by the user.

Comparison of lipstick resilience
using a cantilever test

This cantilever test provides both imitative and empirical results from one procedure. Action is provided by a hemispherical edged blade which simulates the bending action caused during application.


Some more information on this fixture: 

Measuring Resilience/Bending Force
Samples are clamped within the orifice of the supporting fixture; the lipstick is then wound out to its maximum length and the supporting fixture attached to the machine bed in such a position that the hemispherical blade comes down on the sample at approximately 3mm away from the tip.

The graph shows a typical force profile using this method.

The maximum force value, i.e. the maximum peak, is the force required to break the lipstick away from the main body of the sample, which provides an indication of the hardness of the sample. The distance at which this break occurs indicates the brittleness of the sample, i.e. a brittle sample would possess a short bending distance.

The gradient of the slope during the bending action can be referred to as the ‘stiffness’ (or resilience) of the sample, the higher the gradient the stiffer the sample.

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We can design and manufacture probes or fixtures for the TA.XTplus texture analyser that are bespoke to your sample and its specific measurement.

Once your measurement is performed, our expertise in its graphical interpretation is unparalleled. Not only can we develop the most suitable and accurate method for the testing of your sample, but we can also prepare analysis procedures that obtain the desired parameters from your curve and drop them into a spreadsheet or report designed around your requirements.

For more information on how to measure texture, please visit the Texture Analysis Properties section on our website.

The TA.XTplus texture analyser is part of a family of texture analysis instruments and equipment from Stable Micro Systems. An extensive portfolio of specialist attachments is available to measure and analyse the textural properties of a huge range of food products. Our technical experts can also custom design instrument fixtures according to individual specifications.

No-one understands texture analysis like we do!

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