Definition of raw material quality parameters
At INFINITIA, we understand that the quality of raw materials is the first fundamental step to ensuring the excellence of final products in any industrial process.
Correctly defining quality parameters for raw materials allows companies to optimize their production processes, improve the reliability and durability of their products, and meet the strictest international regulations.
At INFINITIA, we have a team of highly qualified specialists who work with the latest materials characterization technology and advanced testing, ensuring precise and reliable results for all industries.
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What is the definition of quality parameters for raw materials?
What is it?
Defining the quality parameters of raw materials involves assessing and analyzing the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of materials before they are used in production.
This process includes identifying key characteristics such as strength, durability, reliability, and the ability to adapt to the specific conditions of each sector.
At INFINITIA, we tackle this challenge through detailed testing and a thorough review of the applicable ISO standards, ensuring that raw materials meet technical requirements and are optimal for use in manufacturing products.
Defining quality parameters for raw materials at INFINITIA:
At INFINITIA, we carry out the definition of quality parameters for raw materials with a detailed, tailored approach, using the best techniques and equipment available on the market.
Our testing includes mechanical, thermal, chemical, and accelerated aging analysis, all tailored to the specific needs of each client and sector.
We also make sure that all materials assessed align with ISO standards and other international regulations, ensuring the quality and performance of the final products. And in cases where no specific ISO standard applies, we design custom setups and tests aimed at reproducing real operating conditions.
Benefits of the service
Benefits
The main benefit of defining the quality parameters of raw materials is the ability to foresee and prevent failures in the manufacturing process, which significantly improves the efficiency and safety of the final products.
In addition, by identifying the most suitable materials and their specific properties, companies can reduce production costs and improve product reliability.
This service also supports compliance with ISO standards, ensuring that all materials are assessed according to international quality and safety standards.
Types of tests for defining quality parameters of raw materials
types
At INFINITIA, we carry out a range of tests to define and validate the quality parameters of raw materials used in industrial processes.
This testing makes it possible to assess the strength, durability, reliability, and behavior of materials under various conditions of use, ensuring they meet the expectations and regulations of the sector.
Below, we describe the main tests we carry out:
Chemical composition and structure testing
Chemical composition and structure testing makes it possible to identify the elements and compounds present in a material, as well as its molecular organization. These tests are essential for verifying the quality of raw materials, detecting contaminants, and confirming compliance with technical specifications.
At INFINITIA, we use techniques such as FTIR, AAS, XRF, NMR, GC-MS, and HPLC-MS to characterize materials and identify unknown additives in technical polymers used, among other sectors, in the automotive industry.
Microscopy and morphological analysis testing
Microscopy testing is crucial for observing material microstructures and detecting possible defects or irregularities in their internal structure.
We use optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to generate detailed images of the surface and internal structure.
A typical case is the identification of microcracks and defects in solder joints for the electronics industry, using SEM to study surfaces after different processes and optimize soldering parameters to prevent failures.
Mechanical testing
This testing makes it possible to assess how raw materials behave under mechanical stress such as tension, compression, torsion, or fatigue.
At INFINITIA, we carry out hardness, resilience, elastic modulus, and impact resistance testing under international standards such as ISO and ASTM.
A common example is the validation of plastic housings, where we carry out drop and impact tests to determine the durability of parts under real conditions of use, ensuring structural integrity and safety.
Thermal testing
Thermal analysis measures how a material reacts to temperature variations, which is crucial for determining its thermal stability.
We use techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and thermomechanical analysis (TMA) to assess the glass transition, mass loss, and thermal resistance of materials.
For example, in the development of new electrical insulation materials, we apply TGA and DSC to ensure a polymer retains its properties, guaranteeing its performance under extreme conditions.
Corrosion and accelerated aging testing
These tests simulate extreme conditions to predict the durability of materials against factors such as corrosion, humidity, and aging.
We use salt spray methods, climate chambers, and electrochemical testing to assess oxidation resistance and long-term behavior.
One example of an application is comparing metal coatings, subjecting them to extreme humidity and temperature conditions to select the option most resistant to oxidation. This allowed the manufacturer to select different material grades depending on the product range, thereby optimizing production costs.
Migration and purity testing (Chromatography)
Using gas chromatography (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography (HPLC-MS) techniques, we analyze the migration of compounds and residues present in materials.
This testing is essential in sectors such as food packaging and medical devices, where safety is a priority.
At INFINITIA, we have used GC-MS to measure the presence of volatiles in various components subjected to specific operating conditions, in order to determine maximum TLV values and select the optimal material for that application.
Applications of defining quality parameters for raw materials
sectors
Defining quality parameters for raw materials has crucial applications across multiple industrial sectors. Through physical, chemical, thermal, or mechanical testing, at INFINITIA we help validate products, select raw materials, and anticipate potential failures under real conditions of use.
Below are some of the sectors where this service is key:
Automotive Industry
In automotive, the materials used must withstand vibration, mechanical loads, and extreme conditions. Materials characterization makes it possible to select lightweight, strong, and durable solutions for structural components, plastic housings, metal coatings, or parts subject to fatigue.
We are able to define parameters for:
- Impact resistance and thermal stability in plastic housings, by validating their behavior under thermal cycling and impacts in extreme conditions.
- Corrosion resistance in metal coatings, through salt spray testing that makes it possible to select the most durable option against aggressive environments.
Food and Packaging Industry
Materials used in food packaging must ensure food safety and preserve product properties. Materials characterization validates thermal resistance, barrier behavior, and possible substance migration, in compliance with European and sector-specific regulations.
We define quality parameters using:
- Contaminant migration testing in food packaging using chromatography (HPLC and GC), to ensure food safety and compliance with European and sector-specific regulations.
- Thermal analysis of films to validate their resistance to pasteurization processes.
Medical Devices
Medical materials must withstand sterilization processes, maintain dimensional stability, and not release toxic compounds. Materials characterization ensures the safety, functionality, and service life of polymers, coatings, and implantable or disposable parts.
We help define parameters for:
- Thermal stability of polymers for use in steam or gas sterilization, ensuring their functionality.
- Chemical purity in medical devices, using liquid chromatography (HPLC) aimed at residue detection to ensure patient safety.
Energy and Electronics Sector
In electronic and energy systems, materials must offer thermal stability, dielectric strength, and predictable behavior under load cycles. Characterization ensures their reliability in encapsulation, insulation, and components for power electronics or electric mobility.
We help define parameters for:
- Dielectric strength of insulating ceramics used in batteries and power systems, to ensure their performance under load cycles
- Thermal stability in electronic circuit encapsulants, using techniques such as DSC and TGA, to determine their maximum operating temperature.
Construction Industry
Construction materials must retain their structural integrity against humidity, loads, abrasion, and chemical agents. Materials characterization makes it possible to anticipate their long-term behavior and validate solutions in line with technical regulations and environmental requirements. We help define quality parameters through:
- Accelerated aging testing on facade panels to assess their response to humidity and UV radiation.
- Measurement of surface wear and abrasion resistance of industrial flooring.
Technical Textiles and Functionalized Materials
Technical textiles and functionalized surfaces must retain properties such as fire resistance, antimicrobial effect, or thermal comfort. At INFINITIA, we characterize these materials to validate their effectiveness and durability under real conditions of use. We help you define parameters through:
- Tear and fire resistance testing on technical fabrics used in workwear.
- Analysis of antimicrobial coatings applied to hospital uniforms using microbiological testing for inhibition of bacterial growth.
Ensuring excellence in raw material selection
Value
At INFINITIA, precisely defining the quality parameters of raw materials is essential to ensuring the reliability, durability, and performance of products across various industrial sectors.
Through our advanced testing and state-of-the-art equipment, we help companies select the most suitable raw materials for each application, ensuring compliance with the most demanding international regulations and quality standards.
The benefits of this service are numerous: from optimizing production costs to reducing the risk of premature failures in final products, by anticipating and preventing problems throughout the manufacturing process.
INFINITIA helps improve efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction. Our ability to carry out customized testing tailored to each client’s specific needs ensures that the selected materials are the most suitable for each application, and that their properties are best suited to the environment in which they will be used.
As industrial sectors continue to evolve, the role of materials characterization and defining quality parameters will remain crucial. Technological innovations will continue to offer new opportunities to improve materials and manufacturing processes.
