Description of the facilities:
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
With the tungsten (W) filament SEM HITACHI S-3700N and the high resolution field emission FE-SEM HITACHI SU-6600, we can perform a variety of analyses:
- Morphological and topographical imaging
- Surface fractography
- Materials microstructure
- Grain size and texture analysis by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD)
- Material composition by back scattered electron (BSE) imaging
- Elemental analysis and mapping by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS)
- Wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS) for concentrations ≤500ppm or element overlaps (e.g. Mo/S)
- Variable pressure mode for non-conductive specimens – i.e. no need for carbon/gold coat
- Non-destructive analysis on small components through a large chamber (300mm x 110mm)
- In-situ micro-mechanical uniaxial tests with a 2kN load cell and video capture
- Environmental capability with the Cryostage and Quantomix cells, for analyses on beam sensitive materials or hydrated samples (e.g. biological materials, plants, food products, emulsions, concretes, suspensions, lubricants, etc.).
X-ray diffractometry (XRD)
With our BRUKER D8 ADVANCE we can extract structural information material and phase identification from metals and ceramics, at ambient and high temperatures (up to 2000°C). Specimens can be in bulk or powder form, thin films, corrosion products or debris. Amongst the properties we can measure: phase composition, crystal structure, lattice parameters & mismatches, spatial orientation of crystals, crystallinity, residual stress, grain texture, and layer thickness.
Glow discharge – optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES)
We use the HORIBA GD-Profiler 2™ for qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis and depth profiling (up to 150μm) of conducting and non-conducting materials.
Unlike traditional optical emission spectrometers, GD-OES sputters away material layer-by-layer and provides elemental information for very thin layers or coated components, with up to 1nm resolution.
Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP)
Our Quantachrome PoreMaster-60® uses a 60,000psia (>4100bar) pressure applied to mercury (non-reactive and non-wetting) to penetrate the open porosity in a material, to measure: porosity content, pore diameter (between >950μm to 3.6nm), pore volume, bulk and apparent density.
Thermal Properties
For thermal analysis, we rely on our complete suite of Netzsch instruments that include:
- Simultaneous thermal analyser (STA)
The STA 449 F1 Jupiter® is a simultaneous thermal gravimetric analyser (TGA), differential thermal analyser (DTA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and is available to:
Measure the weight change (e.g. degradation or oxidation) and specific heat capacity under various atmospheres or vacuum from ambient temperature to 1600°C.
Identify phase transformations, e.g. glass transition, melting, sublimation, degree of crosslinking, degree of crystallinity.
- Thermo-mechanical analyser (TMA) / Dilatometer (DIL)
With the DIL 402C, we measure the coefficient of thermal expansion up to 1600°C.
- Laser flash analyser (LFA)
The LFA 427 allows measurement of thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of materials up to 1600°C.
- Heat and Flow Meter (HFM)
HFM 436 Lambda measures the thermal conductivity between 0.002 and 1.0W/m·K, and at temperatures of -20°C to +80°C (with a precision of ± 0.01°C), and can operate with samples with an edge length of 305mm and a thickness from 5mm up to 100mm.
The variable load feature allows applying a load of up to 21kPa, making the technique ideal for measurements on compressible, insulating materials. The system works in compliance with the ASTM C 518, ISO 8301, DIN EN 12667, DIN EN 13163 and JIS A 1412 standards.
Mechanical Properties
The AMRL encompasses the capability to characterise the mechanical performance of a wide range of materials and components, meeting a broad range of international standards. This capability is primarily built around a combination of modern Instron load frames with a variety of loading capacities and accessories:
- Two 8800 servo-hydraulic systems (dynamic loading capacity up to ±250kN)
- Electropuls E3000 system (dynamic loading capacity up to ±3000N)
- Electromechanical 5969 system (loading capacity up to 50kN)
- Environmental chamber for testing from -150°C to +350°C
- Furnace for testing at up to 1000°C
- Video extensometer for contactless measurements
With the above set of instruments we can measure mechanical properties such as tension/compression, axial fatigue, 3- or 4-point bending, shear, creep and fracture toughness.
Additionally, we have:
- Rotating bending fatigue testing (RBFT)
Three Instron RR Moore rigs on which a fast rotating (up to 100Hz) specimen is loaded with a force perpendicular to the axis of rotation. All three rigs are equipped with furnaces for operation at temperatures up to 1000°C.
In either Charpy or Izod configuration, with capacities of: up to 25J with the Tinius Olsen IT503 bench system and over 290J with the Losenhausenwerk system.
