Dielectric constant (ε′)
How much charge the material stores compared with a vacuum.
Useful forCapacitor ceramics, substrates, insulationElectrical, Magnetic & Electrochemical
LCR Meter
Dielectric Measurement
An LCR meter measures a sample's capacitance, loss and impedance between two parallel electrodes. From these it gives dielectric constant, dielectric loss and AC conductivity across frequency and temperature.
6 test optionsε′, tan δ and AC conductivity5 mHz to 5 MHz, RT to 500 °CTypical turnaround 5–7 working days
LCR Meter measurement principleIllustrative
01 / Overview
What is LCR Meter?
The sample, usually a pellet or film with electrodes on both faces, sits between two parallel metal plates. The meter applies a small AC voltage and measures the amplitude and phase of the current, giving capacitance, loss and impedance. With the thickness and electrode area these become dielectric constant and AC conductivity.
Sweeping frequency, from millihertz to megahertz, and temperature, up to 500 °C, separates conduction from interfacial and dipolar polarisation and reveals relaxation peaks and transitions such as Curie points. It suits ceramics, ferroelectrics, polymers and composites.
02 / How it works
How it works
- 01
Sample is electroded
Both faces of a flat pellet or film get conductive electrodes; thickness and electrode area are measured.
- 02
Sample is clamped
It is held between two parallel metal plates, at room temperature or inside a furnace.
- 03
AC signal is swept
A small AC voltage is swept over frequency while the meter reads impedance and phase at each step.
- 04
Dielectric data is calculated
Capacitance and loss are converted, using thickness and area, into ε′, tan δ and AC conductivity.
03 / What it measures
What it measures
Dielectric loss (tan δ)
Energy lost as heat each cycle, from the phase lag of the current.
Useful forLow-loss substrates, insulating polymersAC conductivity
Conductivity from the loss, and how it rises with frequency.
Useful forIonic conductors, semiconducting oxidesImpedance spectra
Nyquist plots that separate grain, grain-boundary and electrode effects.
Useful forCeramics, solid electrolytesRelaxations & transitions
Loss peaks and permittivity anomalies with temperature, such as Curie points.
Useful forFerroelectrics, piezoelectrics, polymers04 / Test options
Choose the LCR Meter options you need
6 options · none added yet
05 / Sample requirements
Sample requirements
- Accepted forms
- Sintered pellets, discs, films, sheets or thin plates with flat, parallel faces
- Size
- Typically 10–20 mm across and about 0.2–3 mm thick
- Electrodes
- Silver paste or sputtered electrodes on both faces, or ask the lab to apply them
- Powders
- Press and sinter into a pellet first, or discuss pelletising
- Quantity
- One piece per sample and test condition; a spare helps
- Flat, parallel faces with an even thickness
- State thickness and electrode area, if known
- Dry samples; moisture raises the loss at low frequency
- No electrode paint running over the edges
- No loose powders, liquids or pastes
- No samples that melt or decompose in the test temperature range
Hazardous or air-sensitive samples: mention it in your request, and attach the MSDS if you have one.
06 / Results & turnaround
Results & turnaround
What you receive
- ε′ and tan δ vs frequency (and temperature, if chosen)
- Capacitance, impedance and phase data
- AC conductivity and impedance plots, on request
- Raw data files
- Report PDF
Turnaround & pricing
Typically 5–7 working days after samples reach the lab.
Price confirmed in your quotation, depending on user type, options and number of samples.
07 / Limitations
When LCR Meter isn't the right fit
Conductive films, metals or low-resistance samples
Magnetic response of the same material
Phase or microstructure behind the result
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