Material Testing Insights

Read articles by our experts and guest authors on the practical implications of regulations, scientific advancements, and the ideal uses of different analysis methods.

Top articles

PFAS regulations in the EU: overview of restrictions by product category

PFAS regulations in the EU: overview of restrictions by product category

The use of PFAS – also known as "forever chemicals" – has been regulated in the EU for more than a decade, with limits getting stricter in recent years.

How to compare material testing laboratories – 10 aspects to consider

How to compare material testing laboratories – 10 aspects to consider

Read our tips on how to compare material testing laboratories and select the best-suited one for your testing needs.

Alternatives to animal testing in the development of medical devices

Alternatives to animal testing in the development of medical devices

The safety and legal compliance of medical devices can often be assessed without resorting to animal testing, especially in lower-risk device categories.

Kamal Mundoli
Kamal Mundoli

November 11, 2024

Trace elemental analysis of thin films and silicon wafers: A method comparison

Tiny contaminant concentrations can compromise the functionality of semiconductor components, making trace elemental analysis crucial for quality control.

Keep reading >

Trace elemental analysis of thin films and silicon wafers: A method comparison
Ville Roininen
Ville Roininen

November 5, 2024

Viscosity testing techniques, standards, and applications

Choosing the most appropriate viscosity testing technique, based primarily on sample properties, is key to obtaining accurate and reproducible results.

Keep reading >

Viscosity testing techniques, standards, and applications
Kimmo Kaukanen
Kimmo Kaukanen

October 30, 2024

EN 13501-1 standard for fire classification of construction materials: Overview of performance classes & criteria

In most cases, several reaction-to-fire tests are required to determine the correct fire performance class for construction products according to EN 13501-1.

Keep reading >

EN 13501-1 standard for fire classification of construction materials: Overview of performance classes & criteria
Hande Güneş
Hande Güneş

October 24, 2024

SEM vs TEM: How to choose the most suitable electron microscopy technique for your application

Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy are both powerful techniques for high-resolution imaging, but they have some key differences.

Keep reading >

SEM vs TEM: How to choose the most suitable electron microscopy technique for your application
Anssi Rajala
Anssi Rajala

October 7, 2024

Overview of ISO 16094 standards for microplastic analysis of water samples

ISO 16094 standards will outline the procedures for microplastic analysis of clean water samples using vibrational spectroscopy and thermoanalytical methods.

Keep reading >

Overview of ISO 16094 standards for microplastic analysis of water samples
Niko Markkinen
Niko Markkinen

September 16, 2024

Cosmetic packaging testing by EU regulations and industry guidelines

The safety and compliance of cosmetic packaging are frequently assessed using migration tests adapted from those employed for food contact materials.

Keep reading >

Cosmetic packaging testing by EU regulations and industry guidelines
Joshua Reeder
Joshua Reeder

September 6, 2024

Overview of stable isotope analysis applications in research and industry

Some of the most popular applications include geological, ecological, and archaeological research, as well as verification of food and textile origin.

Keep reading >

Overview of stable isotope analysis applications in research and industry
Ryan Johnsson
Ryan Johnsson

August 16, 2024

Polymer characterization techniques and applications

Polymeric materials' complex structure presents analytical challenges that can be overcome through the use of a combination of characterization techniques.

Keep reading >

Polymer characterization techniques and applications
Henna Väänänen
Henna Väänänen

August 9, 2024

How can manufacturers prepare for the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation?

The new PPWR will impose strict recyclability criteria, ban PFAS in food contact materials, and prohibit certain types of plastic packaging.

Keep reading >

How can manufacturers prepare for the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation?
Sanna Laukkanen
Sanna Laukkanen

August 2, 2024

Paper and board recyclability testing by European industry standards

EU sustainability policy requires all paper and board packaging to be designed for recycling by 2030. Recyclability can be validated using standardized tests.

Keep reading >

Paper and board recyclability testing by European industry standards
Niko Markkinen
Niko Markkinen

July 8, 2024

Testing to substantiate food contact material labeling in the EU

FCMs can be marked with various performance labels, such as dishwasher-safe or microwave-safe, if they can be shown to withstand the relevant conditions.

Keep reading >

Testing to substantiate food contact material labeling in the EU
Fanny Törnqvist
Fanny Törnqvist

July 5, 2024

How Measurlabs accelerated Interlinked's MDR submission process

Read how Measurlabs eased Interlinked's MDR submission process by offering all the necessary tests and proactive expert support.

Keep reading >

How Measurlabs accelerated Interlinked's MDR submission process
Teemu Myllymäki
Teemu Myllymäki

July 2, 2024

The hidden costs of inefficient laboratory testing procurement

Laboratory testing procurement has many pitfalls from wasting time on project management and searching for laboratories to simply overpaying for analyses.

Keep reading >

The hidden costs of inefficient laboratory testing procurement
Joshua Reeder
Joshua Reeder

June 17, 2024

Solid recovered fuel analysis to ensure consistent fuel quality

Solid recovered fuel (SRF) is more variable than traditional fossil fuels, requiring thorough chemical and physical characterization to ensure high quality.

Keep reading >

Solid recovered fuel analysis to ensure consistent fuel quality
Pihla Pietiläinen
Pihla Pietiläinen

June 6, 2024

Product safety in the EU: Why were consumer products found dangerous in 2023?

Our overview of serious risk alerts registered on the Safety Gate portal in 2023 reveals the reasons why consumer products are most often found dangerous.

Keep reading >

Product safety in the EU: Why were consumer products found dangerous in 2023?
Elina Tenhunen
Elina Tenhunen

June 4, 2024

The role of the Biological Evaluation Plan (BEP) in the biocompatibility evaluation of medical devices

Preparing the BEP before large-scale testing starts helps companies choose the most appropriate testing procedure, which in turn helps minimize animal testing.

Keep reading >

The role of the Biological Evaluation Plan (BEP) in the biocompatibility evaluation of medical devices
Anssi Rajala
Anssi Rajala

May 24, 2024

Total organic carbon (TOC) testing: applications, regulations, and standards

Popular applications of TOC testing include monitoring drinking water quality and ensuring that water is ultrapure for pharmaceutical use.

Keep reading >

Total organic carbon (TOC) testing: applications, regulations, and standards
Meeri Rantanen
Meeri Rantanen

May 15, 2024

Overview of the U.S. EPA Method 1633 for PFAS testing

Method 1633 details the procedure for screening 40 PFAS compounds from environmental samples, including surface and groundwater, sediment, and wastewater.

Keep reading >

Overview of the U.S. EPA Method 1633 for PFAS testing
Ida Tarko
Ida Tarko

May 7, 2024

Comparison of thermal analysis techniques used in material characterization

Several techniques, such as DSC, TGA, and TMA, can be used for thermal analysis, depending on the studied properties, temperature range, and sample type.

Keep reading >

Comparison of thermal analysis techniques used in material characterization
Henna Väänänen
Henna Väänänen

April 23, 2024

Guide to EU compliance testing of paper and board food contact materials

Manufacturers must choose an appropriate safety reference for testing paper and board FCMs, as there is currently no harmonized EU legislation.

Keep reading >

Guide to EU compliance testing of paper and board food contact materials