What causes printed circuit boards to fail? Ionic contamination ranks high on the list, accounting for an estimated 25% of failures. Contaminants can be introduced in virtually any step of the manufacturing process. Some examples include inorganic or organic acids from product components such as flux, sodium and chloride from poor handling, and potassium and […]
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Evaluating Corona Treatment of Polymers with Electron Spectroscopy Chemical Analysis
The right surface can make all the difference. This is especially true when affixing a polymer to another material during manufacturing. Using corona or plasma treatment modifies the surface of materials such as polymers, metalized surfaces, foils, and paperboard stocks, allowing better adhesion between materials. Determining the ideal settings for the plasma treatment can take […]
Product Quality Control Testing for Manufactured Products
Imagine opening a can of your favorite soft drink, only to find it tastes different than usual. And then the next one is even farther from the original flavor. Can after can, there’s no consistency — some are more carbonated, some less sweet, and at least one makes you feel sick to your stomach. How […]
3 Mysteries Solved with Materials Analysis
If you’re involved in quality control or product development, you’re a detective. You spend your days solving mysteries such as: what’s that smell, why is the product failing, and how can we improve product performance?
Sometimes, you can uncover the answers with good old fashioned legwork. But other times, you might need a little assist from technology. Read on to learn how Innovatech cracked open three confounding cases using materials analysis testing.
How X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy/ESCA Works
X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), also referred to as Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) is a surface analysis technique that provides quantitative and chemical state information about a sample material’s surfaces and interfaces. XPS is an incredibly flexible, sensitive, and efficient analysis technique with applications across a broad range of organic and inorganic materials. Because […]
How Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) Works
In searching for surface testing for your conductive or semi-conductive product or device, you, no doubt, have come across the terms: AES Analysis, Auger Analysis, and Auger Microscopy. Each of these terms refers to Auger Electron spectroscopy, one of the most popular surface analysis techniques. Read on to learn why AES is a popular tool […]
Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to Identify Source of Epoxy Failures
Flexibility can be an asset — but not for a substrate used in the manufacture of an extremely sensitive electromechanical (EM) device. Typically used in industrial machinery, medical devices, and consumer products, EM devices include mechanical and electrical components. Due to the critical nature of these devices, they usually require a high degree of structural […]
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a powerful materials analysis technique. It’s uniquely designed to capture compelling, high-resolution images of a sample’s surfaces. In fact, depending on the sample, we dare say the resulting photos often verge on art. Of course, these images aren’t just eye candy. From microelectronics to food processing, SEM images provide invaluable […]
How to Analyze XPS Data: A Beginner’s Guide
If you’ve ever sent a sample in for surface analysis, there’s a good chance that you’re already familiar with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS analysis is a widely used surface analysis technique, with applications across numerous industries. Also referred to as electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), XPS is suitable for a broad range of […]
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES)
Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) is a widely used surface analysis technique with several applications across industries including medical device, electronics, hard drive, and other general manufacturing segments. Is AES a fit for your unique testing needs? Well, that all depends. Every analytical technique has pros and cons, which means selecting the right testing method is […]
