Our optical microscope is equipped with a digital image/video record system of high resolution at a micrometric scale and allows image processing and analysis. It is also possible (with a specific accessory) to study the morphological behaviour of materials as a function of temperature and/or time, which is particularly useful to evaluate shape-changing materials.

The atomic force microscope is used to characterise morphologically and topographically the surface of materials using spatial resoltution at a nanometric scale.  With this technique we can analyze solid materials  such as fabrics, fibers or particles, being the only experimental requirement that the sample is flat  and with low roughness (<10 μ m in the regions of interest). The  analysis may be performed  in an inert atmosphere (environmental AFM), in a liquid medium or with temperature controlled. The AFM also enables us to evaluate mechanical, electrical and magnetic properties on a nanometric scale.

Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry  is used to characterise electronic and optical properties of different materials. To analyze solid materials and powders we use a diffuse reflectance integrated sphere.

The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is a very useful characterization technique for the identification of organic and inorganic compounds. Along with an ATR (attenuated total reflectance) accessory this technique is used to study a variety of materials including films, fibers, particles, powders, coatings, among others.

The TGA measures mass changes as a function of temperature or time under a controlled atmosphere, this allows the detection and  quantification of volatile compounds or moisture in a  sample. We can also study decomposition and oxidation processes in materials,  provided they show loss or gain in weight. Equipment  at CeNTI works in temperature range from room temperature up to 1000ºC and in several atmospheres.

In turn, DSC provides qualitative and quantitative information about physical and chemical changes of materials resulting from endothermic and exothermic processes. Analysis can be performed in temperature ranges from -90 to 730ºC in different atmospheres. We can also study degradation/consolidation mechanisms of materials by UV radiation through a photocalorimetry accessory and obtain thermodynamic and kinetic information by modulated DSC.

Generally, this technique measures the shape deformation resulting from an applied force (strain) on a material. These tests can be performed on distinct samples of different nature and geometry (films, bars, powders, yarns, fibers, fabrics, non-woven, knitting) in the following deformation methods: tension, compression, shearing and bending in 3, 2 or 1 spots.  Working temperatures range from -190 to 400°C and frequency from 0,01 and 300 Hz. With the photocalorimetry accessory we can also study the degradation/consolidation of materials by UV radiation action and perform thermomechanical analyses (TMA mode) to evaluate geometry changes of materials as afunction of  temperature or time.

Rheology is the science which studies the flow and deformation of matter and rheological characterization is used to determine how materials behave. Materials such as rubber, polymers, bulk and sludge, soil, paint and varnishes, blood, food, etc.., show properties that classical studies in elasticity and fluid mechanics couldn't describe and explain.