--- type: "Article" title: "Characterization of powders in the laboratory – Interview" description: "Behind the analysis, the faces of FILAB expertise Characterization of powders, what is it all about? Hello, my name is Thomas Gautier. I have been Head of the Materials Department at FILAB for six years, and today I am going..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/blog/2025/12/characterization-of-powders-in-the-laboratory-interview/" tags: ["Characterization of Materials", "News", "EN", "pll_69242db3b211d"] timestamp: "2026-01-22T13:28:57Z" published: "2025-12-02T07:05:16Z" language: "en" author: "bwa" --- # Characterization of powders in the laboratory – Interview ##### Behind the analysis, the faces of FILAB expertise ## Characterization of powders, what is it all about? Hello, my name is Thomas Gautier. I have been Head of the Materials Department at FILAB for six years, and today I am going to talk to you about powder characterization and share my experiences with you. #### Hello Thomas, can you explain in a few words what powder characterization involves? ![](https://filab.fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Thomas-GAUTIER-1024x1003.jpg) “Hello, to put it simply, [powder characterization](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-powder-characterization.md) allows us to determine various parameters of a powder. I will explain these different parameters and, above all, which techniques can be associated with each of them. Firstly, the chemical parameters that can be determined by: - [**ICP**](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-danalyses-par-icp-icp-ms-et-icp-aes-icp-oes.md), with this technique we will be able to perform **elemental characterization** or **identify impurities**. - The **[SEM-EDX](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-d-analyses-par-microscopie-electronique-a-balayage-meb-edx.md)** can also be used to **identify the main composition** of a powder, or to highlight **chemical or morphological heterogeneities** in a powder. - Or **[DRX](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/analyse-et-caracterisation-des-materiaux-par-diffraction-des-rayons-x-drx-en-laboratoire.md)** to **identify the crystalline phases** present in a powder. - **…** Powder characterization also makes it possible to determine the physical parameters of a powder, such as: - the [**particle size**](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-granulometric-analysis/laboratory-particle-size-measurement.md) that can be determined by [**laser particle size analysis**](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-laser-granulometry.md)or [optical microscope (OM)](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-of-analysis-and-observation-by-optical-microscope-mo.md) or even by scanning electron microscope (SEM) - the morphological criteria, which are also evaluated by MO or SEM - it is still possible to determine the [**flowability criteria**](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/flowability-test-hall-or-carney-cone-in-laboratory.md) of a powder or its tapped, apparent, or true density - the **[specific surface area BET method](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-bet.md)** (Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller) - **…** And the last parameter is thermal: during formulation, raw materials may be heated, and to determine these important parameters, we can use: - **Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC),** - **[thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/tga-tga-ftir-and-tga-ms-analysis-at-filab-laboratory.md)**, coupled or not with FTIR for gas identification - or **[Pyrolysis coupled with mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS)](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/tga-tga-ftir-and-tga-ms-analysis-at-filab-laboratory.md)**. » #### Can you now explain why it is important for manufacturers to carry out this type of characterization? This type of characterization can be performed on **finished products** in powder form. It confirms that the product meets specifications, which is important for the proper applicability of the finished product. However, in reality, powder characterization is often performed on [raw materials.](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-raw-material-inspection.md) Once again, this allows the specifications of the raw material to be confirmed or rejected. Indeed, the wrong **[particle size](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-particulate-contaminant.md)**, for example, can cause formulation or solubility issues, which have a direct impact on the product’s effectiveness.” #### What is the latest news from the FILAB laboratory in terms of powder characterization? ![ISO 13779-3](https://filab.fr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/poudres.png) “What I can tell you is that we recently purchased a second laser granulometer with the same features as the first one: dry and liquid modes. We have also invested in a second DRX to meet the increase in demand from our customers for powder characterization and the extension of [COFRAC](https://filab.fr/en/about-us/accreditations-en/laboratory-analysis-iso-17025.md) accreditation for [hydroxyapatite](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-biocompatibility-testing/hap-powder-characterization.md) on medical devices in accordance with [ISO 13779](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-powder-characterization/laboratory-analysis-hap-iso-13779-3.md), which we hope to obtain in the near future. The latest news at FILAB in terms of powder characterization is that we were COFRAC-certified for specific surface area and laser particle size analysis, and we have applied for an extension to include helium pycnometry for determining true density. #### What are the major challenges facing manufacturers when it comes to powder characterization? “In terms of powder characterization, there isn’t necessarily a major challenge. Today, the challenges lie more in characterizing powder at the [nanometric](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-nanomaterial.md) level. I am a member of [Nano Mesure France](https://www.adhesions.nanomesurefrance.fr/organization/maintenance/145573?redirect=%2Fpage%2F2018601-presentation-nanomesurefrance) and we are working with all stakeholders to harmonize analysis techniques, protocols, and everything related to the characterization of nanomaterials. ” **Thank you, Thomas, for these explanations and your feedback.** ![équipe](https://filab.fr/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Filab-labo-1400x611px-V-WEB-1-1024x447.png) [Contact us](https://filab.fr/en/contact-form.md) We are available to answer any questions you may have. [MEET THE TEAM](https://filab.fr/a-propos-de-nous/equipe.md)