A measurement without an objective is simply a random number generator.  Also see: http://www.materials-talks.com/blog/2014/02/06/characterization-is-a-number-42-not-a-goal/

A measurement without an objective is simply a random number generator.  Also see: http://www.materials-talks.com/blog/2014/02/06/characterization-is-a-number-42-not-a-goal/

Material characterization depends on your objective.  There are many techniques and maybe only some of them will answer your question.

Before doing any measurement, it is very important to guess the objective. For example if we prepare any sample, at first we have to check by SEM, TEM or XRD just to see the structure of the material. This is the basic and everybody should need to do it. After that we have to go through measurement depending on objectives. 

Dear Suresh Kumar Sharma,

Before any research one has to relate the characterization to the selected properties in study.

Its mainly depends on your motivation.  XRD analysis is necessary because you may get other properties from your samples but you are blind about your samples structure. Structural parameters strongly influenced the other properties. After that you may select other properties according to your motivation.

Thanks all for joining this topic. Let me be more precise regarding the question. It is quite obvious that before doing any research one must have an objective and depending upon that objective one has to go through material characterization technique.

The question is to have a sound discussion and deep understanding of various material characterization techniques from the experts of various field.

e.g. if someone is interested in optical properties than what are basic techniques one has to go through, if someone is interested in mechanical properties then what are different available latest techniques and their scope etc.

And similarly for various other properties and various latest characterization techniues.

Experts of various fields on various characterization techniques are requested to share their expertise...? 

Dr. S.K. Sharma

Theoretically you are right, but you can imagine that this is a never ending story and very expensive if you really plan to characterize your material with all the proposed techniques. It is like in life: you cannot marry all women in order to test which is the best one for you.

Practically, we are looking for simple correlations between properties. If mechanical test are required one assumes that the initial microstructure is possibly necessary to characterize before. But already this "simple" work is not that simple since you need to define which feature of the mircrostructure you prefer. Grain size? Grain shape? Phase distribution? Defect structure? Element distribution? Grain boundaries? 2D? 3D? Sometimes, you even do not find a correlation which does not mean that there is no. It only shows that the selected features (or combinations of them) have not yet been considered or investigated. Since you cannot find something which you do not know yet (only after testing you know at least one property variation) you can later look for some specific correlations.

Of course, some standard procedures are always recommended: visual inspection in the scale you expect some reactions. This can be already done by a light microscopic investigation, it can also cause some TEM work, although you have to consider the statistical relevance of each of these techniques. If you think, XRD gives you some initial information just do it. Mostly, these investigations are required to confirm that the initial state is as expected or required for this investigation. The grain size for XRD, the surface preparation for EBSD, the specimen selection for TEM. You can only try to prevent any repetition of experiments since you forgot to prepare the investigated sample properly. This is especially important for all later investigations. Which kind of sample (preparation) quality do they need? Some of them you cannot do later since you possibly affect your sample improperly so that the measurements can be done but do not show the quality of results you are expecting.

In other words, I do not think there is a standard procedure for all. You can or have to define one for your specific applications. This is clear! Otherwise, no experiment can be seriously compared with another. This is already difficult enough since you cannot change this standard procedure in the middle of your tests. Otherwise you ave to repeat everything.

Do what is necessary, and not what is possible!

Depending upon the objective of the experiment different characterization methods are followed. So the goal of the study must be clear before sample preparation and accordingly the materials characterization methods are followed.

sssssSpecify, Test, Derive. Specify precisely the test programme, with thorough review. Carry out testing using robust processes. Derive test results using appropriate analytical, modelling and statistical techniques. Review results/approve/sign-off/publish.

Dear colleague Suresh Kumar Sharma

Have a nice time and good day.

There are many parameters may affect the structural, optical and electrical properties of materials;

doping, alloying, annealing, available phase and phase change, radiation, aging, substrate temperature, substrate type, preparation technique, the constituent’s ratios and chemical’s purity, thickness, light illumination....etc.Before starting to study any property, the following should be kept in mind:

1- Literature survey about the focused material.

2- Decide what parameters you want to study its effect on your focused material.

3-Studying the structural properties- Bulk or thin film; identify the current phase (amorphous, poly crystalline or

crystalline) and calculate the crystallite size and/or grain size by the available instruments like XDR, SEM, TEM, AFM.....etc. This is important and help to discuss other properties.

4- To study the optical properties; decide if you want to measure transmittance, T and/or reflectance or absorbance, the follow the traditional procedure for optical calculation.

5- To study the electrical properties, decide which one you want to study; Dc electrical conductivity (dark or under illumination), AC electrical conductivity or thermoelectric power.

6- Make your discussion to join between your different obtained results.

7- If your obtained data satisfies your goal, you can prepare for publication.

I wish this is useful and help you.

Yours

A. EL-Denglawey, Ph.d

Thanks Dr. Eldenglawey

That's really helpful.

That's what i want to discuss, i want to have experts views working on different fields to share their expertise.

This discussion would be helpful for those who want to or going to start working on a particular area....

Following discussion and relevant answers of colleagues, I can to emphasize the importance of rational organization of tests. The mathematical procedures of data smoothing , regression and correlation analysys as well as the factor planning of experiments, allow us to reduce the material and time cost of experimental study. For mechanical testing, you must take into account standards and other helpful documentation.

Thanks Dr. Shil'ko for joining the discussion. Can you please elaborate a bit more on rational organization.

@Gert Nolze

Thank Dr. Nolze for such an illustrative explanation.

May I add to A EL Dinglawey's suggestion -

In addition to literature searches (you will find excellent information in platform studies from 1950's through 1980's) add Patent searches to the beginning of your adventure.

Engineering takes experience that is not often available to us. You will find a wealth of that experience at the USPTO.

Firstly, determination of Intended end use of the material is required for the identification of relevant properties of the material, further, based on focused literature review determination of a minimum required explanation for structure-property relation followed by the selection of material characterization technique could be the steps.

Before proceeding for any experiment the main aim should be clear. First go through all the related references thoroughly and then decide about the sample preparation and characterization. After making your sample, you must be clear that which characterization is important for explanation of the results. Then analyse the results and compare it with the previous as well as the expected results.

Rather start with non-destructive characterization techniques than destructive. You should take into account that some techniques could alter your samples. as a consequence, the measured properties are not comparable to intact (as prepared) samples.