Tribological measurement of complex formulations and materials

Understanding friction, adhesion and lubrication in your processes and applications

La tribology applied to complex formulations and materials (gels, pastes, emulsions, foams, flexible polymers, biomaterials, cosmetic, food or pharmaceutical products) is a key discipline for analyzing and quantifying the phenomena ofadhesion, friction and lubrication which condition:

  • la industrial processing (extrusion, mixing, deposition, coating, injection, compression)

  • la functional performance (slip, spread, comfort, mechanical strength)

  • theUser experience (sensory texture, tactile and oral perception, perceived quality)

At Rheonis, we develop tailor-made tribological measurement services, combining adapted protocols and advanced instrumentation, in order to link interface phenomena to the concrete industrial challenges of our customers.

Why measure the tribology of complex formulations and materials?

Tribological phenomena occur in:

  • On transformation processes : extrusion of pastes, mixing of gels, coating of films, application of coatings, shaping of polymers

  • On usage performance : comfort of applying a cream, spreading a lipstick, adhesion of a patch, slipperiness of a lubricant, perceived texture of a food

  • La stability and durability : interfacial cohesion, wear, aging, internal migrations

  • La sensory and functional quality : tactile perception, creaminess, crunchiness, roughness, oral comfort

Tribology allows us to translate complex sensations and behaviors into measurable data, facilitating the control of formulations and their industrialization.

Tribological measurement services

Friction measurement

Quantification of friction coefficients under controlled conditions (load, speed, temperature, humidity)

Study of tribological regimes (adhesive, sliding, lubricated, mixed)

Measurement of adhesion and tack

Characterization of adhesion on various supports (skin, polymers, metals, biomaterials, industrial surfaces)

Tack tests for pastes, gels, adhesives, flexible formulations

Lubrication analysis

Study of the lubricating properties of emulsions, gels, foams, solutions or modified polymers

Dynamic measurements to link formulation and comfort of use (cosmetics, food industry, biomedical)

Tribo-rheological tests

Coupling tribology and rheology to link friction, texture and global mechanical properties

Studies on multiphasic or unstable formulations (emulsions, fragile gels, viscoelastic pastes)

Aging and tribological durability

Monitoring the evolution of interface properties (drying, hardening, polymerization, ingredient migrations)

Tests under realistic storage, use and processing conditions

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Rheonis' added values

  • Specific expertise on complex formulations : gels, pastes, emulsions, foams, polymers, flexible films, biomaterials
  • Development of custom protocols adapted to product and process constraints
  • Tribology – rheology – texture coupling for an integrated understanding of material behaviors
  • Solution-oriented approach : transforming tribological measurement into a tool for formulation, industrialization and innovation
  • Multi-sector experience : cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food industry, materials chemistry, biomedical

Industrial sectors

  • Cosmetics : comfort of application, spreading, smoothness, glide, skin adhesion

  • Food : texture in the mouth, salivary lubrication, sensory perception (creamy, crunchy, melting)

  • Pharmaceutical & Biomedical : patch adhesion, performance of topical gels, comfort of mucoadhesive formulations

  • Materials and polymers : coating of films, adhesives, technical lubricants, flexible and composite materials

  • ...
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RHEONIS – 73, rue des Javaux – ZA des Javaux – 38320 Eybens – www.rheonis.com – Tel. : + 33 (0)4 76 54 33 33

SAS with capital of €50 – APE 000B – SIRET 7490 794 647 735 000 – VAT intracom FR 24 19 794 647