Nanoscale Mobility Analysis (NMA) allows the following microstructure changes in formulas. The high sensitivity of this measurement allows for identifying drying and curing mechanisms (evaporation, skinning, packing, hardening,…) and characteristic times (open time, dry surface, dry through,…). This technology, embedded in the CurinScan range, is contactless and applicable on any type of substrate (glass, metal, paper, wood,…) from RT up to 250°C with humidity control.
In-situ and contactless
Surface and bulk measurement
Realistic experimental conditions
NMA measurements provide:
Objectivity and Accuracy
Realistic Conditions
Formulation and Process Optimization
NMA measures particles’ Brownian motion (aggregates, polymers, pigments,…). During the film formation or curing process, the nanoscale mobility of structures changes due to the evolution of the material’s properties. For example, during a transition from liquid to solid form.
Thanks to an illuminating laser beam and high-frequency detector, it is possible to perform an in-situ analysis of nanoscale mobility providing a full reading of thermodynamic mechanisms (evaporation, packing, coalescence,…) and characteristic times (open time, surface dry, dry-through).
When a material (coating, film, adhesive) presents an important microscopic dynamics activity (liquid-like), its structures display an important Brownian motion directly correlated to its viscoelastic properties.
Thanks to a dedicated image analysis algorithm, it is possible to determine a characteristic frequency: the microscopic dynamics (µD or mD).
A liquid-like sample (early stages of application) presents a high level of mobility (µD). This mobility will decrease over time during the drying/curing process until reaching a final plateau corresponding to its steady state.
Generally, drying/curing processes involve several thermodynamic mechanisms. NMA allows us to identify the different transitions and determine characteristic times (open time, dry surface, dry through).
