Stable Micro Systems manufactures Texture Analysers/Materials Testers to test the mechanical properties of all types of products or materials by applying a choice of compression, tension, extrusion, adhesion, bending or cutting tests to measure a product’s mechanical properties.
Creative mechanical testing solutions for novel materials
Combability, scoopability, suppleness, disintegration, springiness, flowability… new, creative, innovative, incredible materials need new testing approaches to measure their novel mechanical properties. These physical properties can be useful or a drawback. But if you can measure them then you can control them.
A Texture Analyser is frequently relied upon for use in innovative fields of industry, such as the invention and development of novel materials, due to the empirical or imitative way in which it can be utilised. The Texture Analyser offers method creation flexibility not seen in other materials testing devices because it is not constrained by fundamental or standard methodologies and analysis possibilities. As a result of its universal application in all industries, it appears in a wave of recent patent applications where testing solutions for the measurement of properties of novel materials taking unusual sample forms are needed for mechanical testing challenges that can't be solved using rigid, old-school standard technique approaches.
New products that take new forms and have innovative properties require new testing solutions to ensure that the purpose for which they are designed is met and their structural or mechanical requirements match their intended location of use. Here are just a few academic research and patent application examples of how a Texture Analyser is being employed in peculiar ways that may surprise your usual expectations of using the instrument. Nothing is more exciting that the potential to create:
- shape morphing aircraft skins (using the Resistance Conversion Unit attached to a TA)
- self-healing materials for space missions,
- deployable structure using bistable complaint mechanisms,
- skin inspired strain sensors for human motion monitoring,
- stealthy car clothing with a self-repairing function, or,
- tactile electronic skin.
- Or, how about an unmanned vehicle whose flexible body is designed to mimic tilt sensing inspired from the way jellyfish move or,
- the creation of aqueous fragrance release gel formulations with considerable strength, elasticity and mouldability.
However, there are many different approaches to designing these smart materials. When faced with multiple design possibilities the Texture Analyser would be used to characterise, for example, the strength, flexibility and deformation responses in order to conclude which design is most suited to its application. These novel developments need testing so that their properties can be quantified for comparison with any future redesign, modification or as a quality control benchmark when going into production.
Innovative materials where standard methods do not apply
The future of technology lies in the creation of new materials that offer either the same properties as existing products but provide benefits such as biodegradability or different properties and thereby allow new applications in such areas as medicine, electronics or building materials, for example. Materials scientists need tools such as a Texture Analyser that offer a creative approach to physical property measurement so that each step of the material creation process can be quantified and compared.
There are some other unusual ways to mimic and test things that occur in everyday life. Watch our video for a few examples of novel physical testing methods that use the Texture Analyser to imitate an action that a consumer typically performs in their use of a product in order to objectively measure and quantify mechanical properties.
Sometimes you just need to keep the measurement simple and attempt to recreate the action that is performed in real life when a consumer makes a subjective assessment. See the full summary of typical texture analysis tests that can be performed on innovative materials and products.
View all relevant smart material publications using the Texture Analyser
There is a Texture Analysis test for virtually any physical property. Contact Stable Micro Systems today to learn more about our full range of solutions.
For more information on how to measure texture, please visit the Texture Analysis Properties section on our website.
No-one understands texture analysis like we do!
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