Laboratories

Mechanical Testing Laboratory

The Mechanical Testing Laboratory has many state-of-the-art load frames with load capabilities ranging from a few Newtons to several hundred kilo Newtons. These machines run a variety of mechanical tests including tensile, shear, compression, flexure, fatigue, fracture mechanics testing and hardness measurement. We use a variety of strain measuring equipment such as strain gages, clip gages and laser gages to measure displacements and strain during mechanical testing. We can measure strain in multiple directions using biaxial strain gages and other laser gages. We have equipment for impact testing of materials, drop towers for testing materials, components and coatings, as well as regular creep and stress rupture machines for testing metals, alloys, ceramics, glass, concrete, natural and man-made fibers, polymers and composites. We also have capability to test materials under extreme environments such as cryogenic and very high temperatures under vacuum, inert gas and corrosive atmospheres.

Corrosion and Environmental Testing Laboratory

The Corrosion and Environmental Testing Laboratory has several large cabinets for running salt spray, salt fog and humidity resistance testing. In addition, we have several UV cabinets for testing paints and other coatings and laminates. We also have erosion testing equipment for simulating materials performance at a sample level in extreme climates such as desert, arctic and combined high wind and sand. We have capability to test a range from small samples to full size components such as truck wheels, auto components, etc.

Materials Characterization Laboratory

The Materials Characterization Laboratory has equipment for microstructural analysis and chemical and physical property measurements. We have a fully equipped laboratory for specimen preparation including cutting, mounting and polishing. We have optical microscopes (reflection and transmission) and scanning electron microscopes for analyzing microstructures of metals, alloys, and nonmetallic substrates. We utilize an electron microscope to identify elements and measure their contents semi-quantitatively using energy dispersive analysis techniques. We have an inductively coupled plasma unit for measuring the chemistry of metals and alloys. Also, we have X-ray powder diffraction equipment for phase analysis and other analysis equipment for phase transformation. We have physical property measurement equipment to measure basic physical properties such as density, viscosity and electrical properties such as conductivity and thermal properties including thermal expansion and thermal conductivity. Finally, we have metrology capability to measure physical dimensions of materials and components.

Material Research and Development

The Material Research and Development Laboratory offers materials development support services specifically for metallic alloys and products. The laboratory has melting, casting and rolling equipment to produce samples for testing and evaluation. We also have several small and medium scale ovens for heat treatment of metals, alloys and conditioning of polymer and polymer composites for testing.

Paint and Coatings Evaluation Laboratory

The Paint and Coatings Evaluation Laboratory has equipment and capability to run various painting related tests such as paint adhesion, gel time, resin flow time, volatile organic content (VOC) and coating thickness. The laboratory is also equipped to run mechanical tests on coatings involving sand erosion, stone chip resistance, impact resistance and corrosion resistance test conditions. We have experience in testing and evaluating organic coatings including paints and metallic and ceramic coatings.

Machining and Prototyping Center

The Machining and Prototyping Center is equipped with CNC and manual lathes and milling machines to accurately machine samples and components. In addition, we have capability to weld, braze and rivet components to produce prototypes. The laboratory also has limited 3D printing capability.