Particle Testing Authority (PTA), a division of Micromeritics Instrument Corporation, headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, USA, has expanded its pore analysis capabilities by implementing Capillary Flow Porometery (CFP) and Liquid-Liquid Displacement Porometry (LLDP).

The company states that by using CFP, pore properties are calculated by measuring the fluid flow when an inert, pressurised gas is applied to displace an inert and nontoxic wetting fluid impregnated in the porous network of the samples with pore sizes of 500 to 0.015 microns. Parameters such as first bubble point (corresponding to the largest pores present) can be calculated with accuracy and repeatability according to ASTM F-316.

PTA explains that LLDP can measure nanopores (1,000 to 2 nm) at low pressures by displacing the wetting liquid with an immiscible liquid at increasing pressure. This reportedly eliminates error from collapse or mechanical damage caused by high pressure when measuring materials such as hollow fibres. With these recently implemented methods, the company can analyse materials such as textiles (woven and nonwoven), paper, polymers, metals, ceramics, and porous rocks to understand how high a throughput can be achieved.

“We currently measure porosity and pore size using gas adsorption techniques and mercury porosimetry, so CFP and LLDP allow us to help more customers address their material characterization questions and problems,” stated Greg Thiele, PTA’s, General Manager. “We have performed various analyses for our customers in the energy storage industry, and CFP has allowed us to provide a more comprehensive characterization for battery separators.”