AccuPore

AccuPore

The
easiest
most accurate
most versatile
measurement of through-porosity
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THROUGH-PORE SIZE DISTRIBUTION
CAPILLARY FLOW POROMETRY

Capillary Flow Porometry (CFP) — also known as Gas Liquid Porometry (GLP) — is a fast, reliable method to determine the size and relative abundance of through-pores in sheets and membranes. This pressure-based technique measures the minimum diameter of a pore, averaging over a significant test area, without the need for model-fitting or image processing. Measurements are fast, sample preparation takes under 30 seconds, and no mercury is involved.

SAMPLE PREPARATION

Sample is wetted with a special fluid that fills every pore.

WET CURVE

Gas pressure is applied to force the wetting fluid from the pores. Larger pores open at lower pressure. Increasing pressure opens more, smaller pores, increasing gas flow rate through the sample.

DRY CURVE

After all pores are opened and all of the wetting fluid has been expelled from the sample, flow across the unwetted dry film is measured.

KEY MEASUREMENTS

BUBBLE POINT, LARGEST PORE:​

The lowest pressure at which flow occurs.

MEAN FLOW PORE:

Intersection of the wet curve with the dry curve divided by two — the half-dry curve.

SMALLEST PORE:

Intersection of the wet curve with the dry curve.

PORE SIZE DISTRIBUTION:

A continuous distribution of the differential and cumulative pore size reveals the overall structure of pores in a membrane.

ACCUPORE FEATURES

BETTER MEASUREMENTS WITH SMARTFLOW

The AccuPore features SmartFlow, an advanced flow control system that guarantees the most precise pressure control, highest sensitivity, and lowest signal noise. High-resolution 24-bit electronics operated at 20 Hz for optimal signal quality and system response. With eight complementary transducers and controllers, SmartFlow delivers the most responsive and stable performance, even during rapidly changing conditions such as pore opening.

THE MOST ACCURATE BUBBLE POINT

SmartFlow also enables direct measurement of true bubble point through a proprietary flow controlled method providing unmatched accuracy and repeatability. Unlike conventional pressure-ramp methods which lack sensitivity and can underestimate the largest pore diameter, SmartFlow ensures precise bubble point measurements, often exceeding [quantification].

EXCLUSIVE PRESSURE RAMP AND STEP CAPABILITY

The SmartFlow system provides precision control in either pressure ramp or step modes. The option to perform measurements in either mode ensures the correct measurement is available from detailed characterization to routine qualification.

PRESSURE RAMP

Increasing pressure at a steady rate shortens measurement time, provides a highly repeatable measurement, and produces data points tightly spaced in pressure.
Routine operation, producing high resolution, highly repeatable data, in a short time.

PRESSURE STEP

Pausing at each pressure for equilibration allows all pores of a given diameter to fully empty before moving to the next pressure, regardless of pore length or tortuosity.
Highest possible resolution and absolute pore size accuracy especially for complex pores and thick sheets

DETAILED PORE DISTRIBUTION WITHOUT CURVE FITTING

High resolution, low noise pressure-flow curves enable highly detailed pore size distributions that reflect physical pore architecture WITHOUT curve fitting or post-processing.

Flexible easy-to-use sample chamber
for simple sample loading including samples
from 13 mm to 47 mm diameter.

Intuitive Breeze Interface
makes it easy to measure samples and
review results with or without a PC.
Convenient USB
access for data transfer or peripheral
device integration. Even more ports at the
back of the instrument.
High-speed control, collection, and data processing
provides the most accurate pressure control, highest curve
resolution, and most detailed pore size distribution by
processing measurements at up to 20 Hz.
MIC Net
empowers your lab to operate as one
by synchronizing results and methods
across AccuPore instruments. Laboratory
network connection provides simple data
retrieval and LIMS integration.
Auto-switching gas supply
reduces cost of operation by using low pressure
compressed air when suitable, allowing high
pressure bottled gas tanks to last longer.

RELEVANT APPLICATIONS

BATTERY AND FUEL CELL SEPARATORS AND MEMBRANES

Optimize the rate of ion transport and physical separation to ensure device safety. Precision sample supports and advanced pressure control enable accurate measurements up to high pressure for small pores and thin membranes.

FILTRATION

Predict and ensure size-based selectivity and mass-transfer rate by optimizing the number and size of pores.

NON-WOVENS

Often characterized by a broad distribution of pore sizes due to their production methods. These are common choices for filtration media. In-plane porosity and irregular pore shapes make steady flow determination of bubble point especially important.

METAL AND CERAMICS

Preferred for thermal, physical, and chemical resistance, these materials often have highly porous structures. The three-dimensional porosity of these materials makes it especially important to measurement porosity in the direction of intended flow.

RUN, REVIEW, REPORT – AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

The intuitive Breeze touch interface gives you everything you need at your fingertips. Perform a measurement, review past results, send a report to print or to LIMS (PDF, text, or Excel) with the touch of a finger. Save space in your lab by eliminating a PC from the bench.

Prefer to work from a PC nearby or in your office?
You can do that too! Execute measurements, view status of multiple instruments, or review results…anywhere.

  • Automatic results generation and retrieval:
    • Largest pore diameter (bubble point)
    • Mean pore diameter
    • Smallest pore diameter
    • Pore size distribution
  • Tabular review of detailed test data
  • Porometry and Pore Flow Distribution curve display
  • Generate reports including print and export to file
  • Export to file via network or USB

ULTIMATE SAMPLE SIZE FLEXIBILITY

The flexible design of the AccuPore CFP makes it simple to move between sample diameters: 13 mm, 25, mm, 47 mm all within the same sample chamber. A selection of sample supports provide reliable measurements to the highest pressures, even for thin or weak membranes while also reducing gas consumption by up to 95%.

WETTING FLUIDS

Micromeritics wetting fluids to meet the analytical challenges of new material characterization and support the requirements of legacy methods. Galwick is often preferred for its low surface energy and vapor pressure: filling pores completely and resisting evaporation during analysis. Porewick is also available for legacy method compatibility and specific demanding applications.

PEACE OF MIND WITH CERTIFIED SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

Install and operate the AccuPore with confidence, knowing it has been designed and tested to the highest standards for EMC compliance and operator safety.

ACT AS ONE WITH MIC NET

Never hunt for a past result or worry that your method settings are out of date. MIC Net is an instrument-to-instrument network that shares and stores results and methods across devices.

SPECIFICATIONS
CAPABILITIES

Technique Capillary Flow Porometry
ASTM F316
Measurement Method Pressure Ramp
Pressure Step
Pore Size Range 0.013 µm to 500 µm*
Max Pressure 500 psi / 35 bar
Max Flow Rate 200 L/min
Analysis Gas Supply Air or N2
Operational Modes Bubble Point (Direct Measure)
Capillary Flow Porometry by:
Dry/Wet, Wet/Dry, Wet/Calculated Dry
Physical Dimensions 57 cm Wide x 61 cm Deep
Curve Resolution >1000 data points per run
20 Hz internal data processing speed
Sample Sizes 25 mm diameter standard
Adapters available for 13 mm, 47 mm diameter

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