Characterization of the magnetic and electrical properties of materials

Chemical analysis Characterization of materials
More than 140 people
More than 140 people at your service
5200 m² laboratory
5200 m² laboratory + 99% of services are provided in-house
Accredited laboratory
Accredited laboratory COFRAC ISO 17025

You wish to characterize the magnetic and electrical properties of your materials

Understanding and mastering the behavior of your materials

Magnetic and electrical properties determine the performance, reliability, and conformity of components in numerous sectors: electric motors, magnets, mechatronic subassemblies, ferromagnetic or composite materials, and more.
To anticipate performance, guarantee quality, optimize your processes, or develop new materials, a detailed characterization of these properties is essential.

Our services for characterizing magnetic and electrical properties

Electrical properties

These services can be applied to a variety of materials: metals, alloys, polymers, composites, coatings, dielectric films, complex structures.

Electrical conductivity (σ) and resistivity (ρ): measurements on metallic materials (steels, alloys, non-ferrous metals), with or without coating, on the surface or in volume.

Electrical conductivity (σ) and resistivity (ρ): measurements on metallic materials (steels, alloys, non-ferrous metals), with or without coating, on the surface or in volume.

Permittivity / dielectric constant (ε): for insulators, polymers, composites, coatings, dielectric materials, and even carbon/dielectric composite matrices.

Permittivity / dielectric constant (ε): for insulators, polymers, composites, coatings, dielectric materials, and even carbon/dielectric composite matrices.

Dielectric strength (breakdown voltage, dielectric strength): to ensure that a material can withstand the electrical stresses in use.

Dielectric strength (breakdown voltage, dielectric strength): to ensure that a material can withstand the electrical stresses in use.

Non-contact (non-destructive) measurements: useful for sensitive materials, parts or coatings, finished parts, or when sampling is not possible.

Non-contact (non-destructive) measurements: useful for sensitive materials, parts or coatings, finished parts, or when sampling is not possible.

Measurements under various conditions:

Measurements under various conditions:

  • At low or high temperatures (e.g., from -25°C to +250°C, or depending on the material)
  • After corrosion (e.g., after testing according to corrosion standards)
  • After mechanical tests, wear, vibration, and endurance cycles: useful for evaluating long-term robustness or the effects of industrial use.
  • Under mechanical stress (tension, compression, etc.), if this impacts electrical properties.

Magnetic properties

We offer a very wide range of measurements, depending on the nature of the material (magnets, steels, stainless steel, alloys, etc.), its conditions of use, or your objectives (quality control, R&D, post-processing verification, etc.). Among the possibilities:

B–H hysteresis loop: coercivity, remanent induction, magnetic permeability, maximum energy density

B–H hysteresis loop: coercivity, remanent induction, magnetic permeability, maximum energy density

Measurement of relative magnetic permeability (µᵣ), magnetic susceptibility, remanence, for ferromagnetic steels, stainless steel, special alloys.

Measurement of relative magnetic permeability (µᵣ), magnetic susceptibility, remanence, for ferromagnetic steels, stainless steel, special alloys.

Surface magnetic mapping (vector and direction of magnetization, homogeneity) for permanent magnets or finished parts.

Surface magnetic mapping (vector and direction of magnetization, homogeneity) for permanent magnets or finished parts.

Evaluation of magnetic losses, behavior in variable regime (useful for materials intended for motors, transformers, parts subjected to magnetic cycles).

Evaluation of magnetic losses, behavior in variable regime (useful for materials intended for motors, transformers, parts subjected to magnetic cycles).

Non-destructive testing: possibility of working directly on finished parts, without sampling.

Non-destructive testing: possibility of working directly on finished parts, without sampling.

Analysis after heat treatment, wear, ageing (to ensure that magnetic properties remain consistent).

Analysis after heat treatment, wear, ageing (to ensure that magnetic properties remain consistent).

Our technical resources for characterizing magnetic and electrical properties

XRD - SEM-EDX

Structure-property correlations

Impedance spectroscopy (EIS)

Analysis of conduction phenomena, interfaces, internal resistances

AFM

Mapping nanométrique de la conductivité locale

The FILAB laboratory assists you in characterizing the magnetic and electrical properties of materials

Why characterize magnetic and electrical properties?

Materials can change their behavior depending on their composition, microstructure, environment, or an invisible defect. Characterization allows us to:

  • verify compliance with a standard or specifications
  • understand a failure (overheating, loss of magnetization, current leakage, etc.)
  • optimize a material to improve its performance
  • validate a formulation, heat treatment, or manufacturing process
  • ensure the quality of a batch in production or upon supplier receipt

Expertise tailored to industrial challenges

At the Filab laboratory, our engineers and technicians support manufacturers at every stage of their needs:

Characterization of magnetic and electrical properties

Obtaining a clear and reliable result, carried out according to the appropriate reference standards: conductivity, resistivity, permittivity, hysteresis, permeability…

Interpretation of the results

Interpreting the results to understand abnormal behavior, a defect, a failure or to validate a choice of materials such as an insulating coating which loses dielectric stiffness, a magnet whose hysteresis has changed after treatment, a steel sliding from an acceptable µᵣ to a paramagnetic behavior, etc.

Materials optimization
  • Investigate the effects of thermal, mechanical, ageing, and environmental treatments (temperature, corrosion, usage cycles, etc.) on electrical and magnetic properties.

  • Optimize the formulation of composites, coatings, and alloys to achieve target conductivity, insulation, magnetic permeability, magnetic energy, etc.

  • Validate innovative material and process solutions for demanding sectors (medical, aerospace, electronics, energy, etc.).

Our laboratory thermal analysis services

From analysis to R&D, the FILAB laboratory offers multi-sector services to meet a wide range of thermal analysis requirements, including :

The standards in force regarding the characterization of magnetic and electrical properties

magnetic properties

IEC 60404-5, ASTM A977/A977M: Magnetic properties of permanent magnets

IEC 60404-15, ASTM A342: for stainless steels

IEC 60404-4, ASTM A773, NF EN 10330: for ferromagnetic steels

electrical properties

E1004-99 EC, ASTM B203: for ferromagnetic steels

E1004-99 EC, EN ISO 15091, ASTM B203: for coatings, polymers, carbon composites, dielectrics, liquids

FAQ

What types of materials can be analyzed?

We analyze a wide variety of materials: steels, stainless steels, special alloys, permanent magnets, non-ferrous metals, polymers, composites, functional coatings, powders, films, and finished parts. Our services are suitable for both solid materials and complex structures.

Can you perform non-destructive measurements?

Yes. Certain electrical and magnetic measurements can be performed without sampling and directly on finished parts, particularly for conductivity, permeability, or surface magnetic mapping. This allows for the inspection of sensitive or expensive parts without altering them.

Do you perform measurements under specific conditions (temperature, corrosion, ageing)?

Yes. We can characterize your materials after exposure to corrosion, thermal ageing, mechanical or vibrational cycles, or even as a function of temperature. These tests allow us to evaluate their stability and performance under real-world conditions.

Do you perform interpretations or only measurements?

We offer both. Depending on your needs, we can provide only results, or go further by interpreting the data to understand a defect, material drift, abnormal behavior, or to validate a material choice. Our support can also include an R&D approach.

Is it possible to work on parts that have already been assembled or treated?

Yes. We can analyze finished parts, whether assembled or having undergone heat, mechanical, or surface treatment. This allows us to assess the impact of the process on electrical or magnetic properties.

Can you support R&D development?

Yes. We can study the effect of a treatment, optimize a formulation, evaluate the stability of a material in its environment, or even support you in developing an innovative solution with specific property objectives (conductivity, insulation, permeability, magnetic energy, etc.).

How to start a project to characterize magnetic and electrical properties?

Simply tell us about your needs, your problem, or your objectives. Our experts will guide you in choosing the methods, testing conditions, and level of support required (analysis, interpretation, R&D).

The filab advantages
A highly qualified team
A highly qualified team
Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests
Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
(Staves available on www.cofrac.com - Accreditation number: 1-1793)
A complete analytical park of 5,200m²
A complete analytical park of 5,200m²
Tailor-made support
Tailor-made support
Video debriefing available with the expert
Video debriefing available with the expert
Thomas GAUTIER Head of Materials Department
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