Amongst several of the parameters that defines how a metallic powder will perform in additive manufacturing, the powder flowability is essential to ensure a thin and reproducible deposit of the metal powder, layer-after-layer until the object is finalized.

The properties of metal powders intended for powder bed-based additive manufacturing are critical to how well the process function as well as final material quality. A number of these powder properties have an effect on the flowability of the powder. It is not possible to determine whether a powder has acceptable flowability for the current process / machine brand only by standard powder characterization. RISE therefore offers practical functionality testing of metal powder with relevance to flowability and packing properties with the intention of providing information on how the current powder works in the process.

This service can advantageously be combined with Powder characterization for additive manufacturing to provide a deeper understanding of the result.

The test is performed in two steps using different methodology and with different focus, which also gives the opportunity to interrupt the experiment after the first stage if the result is clearly negative.

Step 1: The powder spreading properties are examined with an equipment (TESTER) that mimics the process used in laser powder bed fusion technology. A number of layers are spread over an area of ​​125x125 mm with a rubber or steel blade attached to an experimental recoater. Recoater speed and layer thickness are varied and the outcome in terms of packing density is defined. Topographic studies of the top layer can be performed with confocal microscopy where varied focus is used for imaging with great depth of field for calculation of various parameters that describe the surface characteristics.

Step 2: The powder spreading properties are then examined directly in the intended powder bed machine. The equipment is filled with the powder and a number of layers are spread over the substrate plate via the powder spreading unit (recoater) in the machine. The powder layer is studied with raking light and documented. This procedure is repeated for a number of lowering of the substrate plate and a number of spread powder layers. An approved result is a homogeneous, evenly distributed, and repeatable powder spread. The results are linked to results from the TESTER equipment and previous experience at RISE to provide an overall assessment of the powder functionality.

This service can advantageously be combined with the services Printing with Laser Powder Bed Fusion for metallic materials or Parametric development for laser powder bed fusion.

The results are delivered according to agreement, usually in the form of a written report which can be supplemented  with an oral presentation including PowerPoint. The customer is provided with a statement on the powder's functionality in the process.

Ackredited productions test for third party quality assurance of CIPP-liner projects.

The tests usually performed is measurement of wall thickness, ring stiffness or bending stiffness and residual styrene according to standardized methods in EN ISO 11296-4:2018.

The final quality of a CIPP-liner is very much dependent on the competence and experience of the entrepreneur. Swedish Water does therefore recommend that sampling of test pieces should be performed. A spot-check of the tested parameters is valuable for the client, so that the characteristics are fulfilling the requirements set in the procurement process.

The tests are performed according to the test standards described in EN ISO 11296-4:2018 and the order by the client:

Wall thickness: EN ISO 3126

Ring stiffness: ISO 7685

Bending stiffness: EN ISO 11296-4:2018, Annex B

Residual styrene: ISO 4901

The results are presesendet in a ackredited technical report, together with comparison to the requirements or the design values.

Dependent on availability in the laboratory, but within three weeks.

The prices are set according to a price list.

For price information, provide CIPP-dimension and requested tests.

A ring of the pipe is needed for the ring stiffness tests, preferrably with a length of 600 mm.

For bending stiffness a smaller piece is needed, preferrably 400x400 mm.

Residual styrene can be measured on a piece that have the dimensions 100x100 mm.

EN ISO 11296-4

EN ISO 3126

ISO 7685

ISO 4901

EN 1228

Do you need to characterise the chemical composition of your material? FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy is a key technique for material analysis. At RISE, we offer not only standard FTIR set-ups but also advanced methods such as micro-FTIR imaging spectroscopy and micro-FTIR imaging spectroscopy for analysis of microplastics.

Spectroscopic material analysis

FTIR spectral fingerprints of many organic compounds are unique, which is why FTIR spectroscopy is widely used for qualitative compound identification.

At RISE, we analyse a broad range of natural and synthetic polymeric and composite materials, including fibres, pulps, papers, barriers, coatings, and packaging. Bulk, surface, and layered structures can be examined separately. Our extensive reference database of material spectra serves as a valuable tool for accurate identification.

Using our µ-FTIR imaging spectroscopy system, we can analyse structures as small as 5 µm (transmission) and 1.25 µm (ATR).

We offer analysis of:

• Chemical composition
• Relative content
• Product defects
• Identification of impurities
• Homogeneity and distribution of components

Microplasic analysis

By definition, microplastics are insoluble plastic particles measuring between 1 µm and 1 mm, including subdivisions into narrower fractions, while “large microplastics” refer to particles sized between 1 mm and 5 mm.

Microplastic pollution poses risks to health and the environment. At RISE, we provide comprehensive analysis using µ-FTIR imaging spectroscopy, delivering statistical reports on particle count, identity, and size distribution. All procedures follow ISO 24187 (September 2023).

We analyse microplastics in samples such as:

• Water* (e.g., drinking water, sea water, river water, lake water, ice, snow, rain, pulp and paper process water)
• Recycled pulps, recycled papers, coated papers, printed paper, paper packaging
• Textiles   (i.e., microplastics from textile sources)

*non-toxic water, non-bio-hazardous water, non-radioactive water

Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) Spectroscopy (Bruker)

Macro-ATR FTIR Spectroscopy (ALPHA II)

Chemical composition of material surfaces can be analysed.

Measuring mode: ATR (i.e. Attenuated Total Reflection)

• Detector: Deuterated Lanthanide Triglycine Sulphate (DLaTGS) single-element
• Spectral resolution: better than 2 cm⁻¹ (0.8 cm⁻¹)
• Spectral range: 8000/4000 cm⁻¹ – 600/350 cm⁻¹
• Crystal: Single reflection Diamond
• Penetration depth: 1.8 µm – 2.2 µm
• Sample thickness: up to 20 mm
• Measuring area: up to 500 µm × 500 µm

Single-point Micro-FTIR Spectroscopy and Imaging Micro-FTIR Spectroscopy (LUMOS II)

This equipment provides chemical imaging and mapping solutions that can detect product defects, impurities, and inhomogeneities, and reveal the chemical composition of various materials, multi-layer structures, laminates, and/or composites, sample bulk and surfaces as well.

Measuring mode: Transmission/Reflection/ATR

Detector 1: 
Thermo-electrically cooled Mercury Cadmium Telluride (TE-MCT) single-element

• Aperture: 5 µm – open
• Spectral resolution: better than 2 cm⁻¹ (0.8 cm⁻¹)
• Spectral range: 6000/4000 cm⁻¹ – 670 cm⁻¹

Detector 2: 
Liquid nitrogen (N₂) cooled Focal Plane Array (FPA) MCT, 32 × 32-pixel detector element (cf. 1024 detector elements) for imaging and mapping

• Pixel resolution: 5 µm and 1.25 µm (ATR)
• Spectral range: 5000/4000 cm⁻¹ – 750 cm⁻¹

Crystal 1: 
Integrated micro-Germanium (Ge) single reflection ATR crystal

• Contact area: Ø 100 µm
• Penetration depth: 0.8 µm – 1.2 µm

Crystal 2: 
Macro-Germanium (Ge) single reflection ATR crystal for sticky and brittle samples

• Contact area: Ø 1000 µm
• Measuring area: 600 µm × 600 µm
• Penetration depth: 0.8 µm – 1.2 µm

Sample thickness: up to 40 mm

Measuring area: up to 1.5 mm × 1.2 mm

FTIR spectroscopy (Varian)

FTIR Spectroscopy

This standard mode is used for qualitative analysis of different materials.

Measuring mode: Transmission

• Detector 1: Deuterated Triglycine Sulphate (DTGS) single-element
• Detector 2: Liquid nitrogen (N₂) cooled Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT)
• Spectral resolution: 4 cm⁻¹ (0.1 cm⁻¹ – 32 cm⁻¹)
• Spectral range: 4000 cm⁻¹ – 400/700 cm⁻¹
• Sample thickness: approx. 20 µm – 40 µm
• Measuring area: Ø 12 mm

Macro-ATR FTIR Spectroscopy

This mode is used for fast characterisation of various materials with minimal preparation.

Measuring mode: ATR (Attenuated Total Reflection)

• Detector: DTGS single-element
• Crystal: Single-reflection diamond with ZnSe (Zinc Selenide)
• Contact area: Ø 2 mm
• Penetration depth: 2 µm
• Spectral resolution: 4 cm⁻¹ (0.1 cm⁻¹ – 32 cm⁻¹)
• Spectral range: 4000 cm⁻¹ – 650 cm⁻¹
• Sample thickness: up to 1 cm

Measurement data and report with analysis results.

Delivery time depends on the scope of the analysis.

Contact us for price information.

Contact us for discussion of amount of material etc. 

RISE has extensive experience of sound insulation measurements of wall elements. Our test opening for walls is 2.59 m x 4.21 m, where the maximum dimensions for the test objects are 2.58 x 4.19m
Our customers are in industry and within public sector and we are accredited for the current Swedish and international standards

RISE has been active in the development of current standards and calculation methods. We work widely in all areas with examples such as research, product development, calculations, verification and certification.

RISE offers, among other things, the following services in the field of sound insulation of walls:

• Laboratory and in the field.
• Calculation of sound insulation of walls and facade elements in different traffic noise situations.
• Dimensioning of the sound insulation of walls.
• Evaluation of the acoustic properties of a wall (this can be done with sound insulation measurements in the lab, calculations and field measurements).

We are accredited for all basic acoustic standards for determining the sound insulation of structures.

National and international standards

Test report

RISE has extensive experience of sound insulation measurements in buildings in order to ensure the indoor environment. We work widely in all areas with examples such as research, verification and certification. .
Our customers are in Industry and within public sector and we are accredited for the current Swedish and international standards.

RISE offers the following services in the field of transmitted impact noise by floor coverings

• Accredited measurements in the laboratory.
• Dimensioning of floor coverings.
• Evaluation of the acoustic properties of floor coverings

We are accredited for all basic acoustic standards for determining the sound insulation of structures

National and international standards

Test report

RISE has extensive experience of sound insulation measurements of windows in order to ensure the indoor Environment. Our customers are in industry and within public sector and we are accredited for the current Swedish and international standards

RISE has been active in the development of current standards and calculation methods.

We work widely in all areas with examples such as research, product development, calculations, verification and certification.

RISE offers, among other things, the following services in the field of sound insulation of windows

• Accredited measurements in the laboratory and in the field.
• Calculation of sound insulation of windows and facade elements in different traffic noise situations.
• Dimensioning of windows’ sound insulation.
• Evaluation of the acoustic properties of a window (this can be done with sound insulation measurements in the lab, calculations and field measurements).

National and international standards

Test report

RISE has extensive experience of sound insulation measurements in buildings in order to ensure the indoor environment.
Our customers are in Industry and within public sector and we are accredited for the current Swedish and international standards

RISE helps to produce documentation on construction products in connection with documentation for type approval and CE marking

RISE acts as an independent institute and to our aid we have all the resources required to run qualified acoustic assignments

RISE offers, among other things, the following services in the field of sound insulation of doors

• Accredited measurements in the laboratory and in the field.
• Calculation of sound insulation.
• Evaluation of the acoustic properties of a door (this can be done with sound insulation measurements in the lab, calculations and field measurements).

We are accredited for all basic acoustic standards for determining the sound insulation of structures

International standards

Test reports

RISE has extensive experience of sound insulation measurements in buildings in order to ensure the indoor environment. We work widely in all areas with examples such as research, verification and certification. Our customers are in industry and within public sector and we are accredited for the current Swedish and international standards

It is important to build according to the regulations that exist today, but sometimes there can be problems anyway. We have a long experience of assessing both that the sound environment is satisfactory in new buildings, for example through our work with P-marking, and investigate why the sound environment is perceived as unsatisfactory in existing buildings. In homes, in different workplaces from office landscapes to hospitals, in schools and in other areas, we have investigated what problems the sound environment poses for the business and what the causes are. Sometimes we have been involved in the process and come up with measures and improvements. Sometimes we have had the role of third-party auditor, where we acted on the basis of RISE status as an independent institute, depending on the needs of the customer. To help us, we have all the resources required to run qualified acoustic assignments in the field.

Measurements in buildings

Report

The sound environment in offices, schools and in our homes affects both how we feel and how we perform. Furniture and interior design products optimized for good acoustics yield better indoor environments and thus better working conditions. We can measure and assess acoustic properties of entire indoor environments as well as of individual products

In our fully equipped acoustic laboratory, we provide independent testing and accredited measurements of products. We also make field measurements of acoustic parameters in real environments and perform listening tests to evaluate how different sounds are perceived. When we test products such as suspended ceilings, screens, baffles and furniture, we often measure sound absorption, but we are also accredited to measure, for example, screen damping, footfall noise et cetera.

Standards we are accredited for include sound absorption according to SS-EN ISO 354, SS-EN ISO 10534, SS-EN ISO 16487 and ISO 11654, screen attenuation according to SS-EN ISO 10053 , standards for sound properties of furniture SS-ISO 20189, etc.  We use the editions that are valid or specifically required for a certain certification.

We are also active in the development of new standards, such as the international standard ISO 22955 Acoustic quality of open office spaces, and where a representative from RISE participated as the appointed expert from Sweden in the work. Our mission in this context is to promote Swedish industry interests, and we welcome a dialogue if you have ideas for improvements of the standards. We can certify your products for different acoustic standards and markets. It can be anything from a complete CE marking to provide the needed information for marking products with TMF's Möbelfakta label

We measure according to accepted standards, which include ISO 354, ISO 10534, ISO 11654, ISO 10053, ISO 20189, SS 25269, ASTM E-1111 etc.

Test reports, and, where applicable, certifications.

Paper surface roughness plays a crucial role for printability and visual appearance. Several types of instruments are available topography measurements of paper surfaces in different degrees of detail. The FRT MicroProf instrument has the advantage of combining high resolution with a large scanning area. Many other materials can be analyzed as well

Surface defects can be quantified in a very detailed way

Surface classification of different samples can be made.

The instrument uses a fast non-contacting high-resolution sensor, based on confocal microscopy with chromatic aberration. When white light passes through a lens with chromatic aberration, different colors focus at different distances. The color composition of the reflected light is analyzed and translated into a height position.

A surface is analyzed by moving the sample holder (X-Y vacuum table), while the sensor is in a fixed position. The utilization of a fixed sensor head means an advantage in speed, when compared to instruments using for example a z-scanning confocal focus sensor.

The x/y resolution is from 2x2 µm and the z-resolution 3 nm.

The height data is evaluated to generate height maps, profiles and pictures as well as common surface parameters, e.g. Ra, Rs etc., depending on the customer's needs.

A useful way of evaluating roughness is to band-pass filter the height map using the image analysis technique Fast Fourier transform (FFT) to divide the height variation in spatial size classes to get roughness components in different wavelength bands.

Resultat in form of Excel- and Wordfiles.

Delivery of results within 2 weeks after receiving the samples

Send the samples to us.
Preferred sample size is one A4 sheet (or US Letter size) per sample but smaller samples can be measured.
Please mark what side that should be measured and the machine direction.