Nanoindenter
The Hysitron TI 900 TriboIndenter conducts quantitative nanomechanical analyses, including nanoindentation, scratch, and wear testing. In-situ Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) can also be done with the TI 900. High resolution optics allow for visual confirmation of testing. The software allows for automation routines, enhancing productivity and statistical sampling.A thermal and acoustic isolation enclosure enhance the stability of the instrument.
- Load Resolution: <1 nN
- Displacement Resolution: 0.0004 nN
- Common Uses: Microelectromechanical Devices (MEMS), Thin Films, Polymers, Composites, Nanomaterials
- Strengths: Nanomechanical properties, Imaging of test site using high resolution digital optics
- Constraints: Sample size limitations – usually a dime sized sample
Tensile Testing (Instron)
The Instron 5969 electromechanical testing system provide mechanical properties testing for materials. The system is equipped with 1 kN and 50 kN load cells and a 50 mm static clip-on extensometer. The system provides a single platform to conduct tensile, compression, flexure, shear, peel, tear and bend tests. The system includes manual wedge grips, pneumatic grips, compression platens, wire capstans, as well as a 3-point and 4-point flexure mount. A USB camera is integrated within the software to capture video of the test being conducted.
- Common Uses: Stress-strain characterization for metallic, polymer and composite materials, Peal and shear testing of adhesives,
- Strengths: Multiple testing modes with greater than four orders of magnitude of load range, Bluehill 3 software provides sophisticated automation and analysis capabilities,
- Constraints: Maximum clearance of 16 inches between columns, 50 inch vertical travel, Load range 1 N to 50 kN
Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)
The GPC (also known as SEC - Size Exclusion Chromatography) utilizes liquid chromatography to separate polymers in solution based on the size of the polymer. The Waters system consists of a single mobile phase Isocratic Pump (Water 1515), a series of GPC columns (Styragel HR3, HR4 and HR5) a single wavelength UV/Vis Detector (Waters 1489) and a Refractive Index Detector (Waters 2414). The GPC, if properly calibrated for a specific sample is quantitative and provides Molecular Weight information in Mn, Mw and Mz as well as determining the polydispersity index (PDI) of the sample.
- Mobile Phase: Dimethylformamide with 0.01 M LiCl, Other solvents are possible but may require separate columns
- Calibration: Polystyrene standards: 890 – 2,630,000 Daltons
- Common Uses:
- Strengths:
- Constraints: Columns are solvent specific
Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA)
The TA Instruments Q50 TGA system measures change in mass of a material as a function of time and/or temperature under a controlled atmosphere. The change in mass provides a measure of a material's thermal stability and composition.
- Temperature Range: 30° – 1000° C
- Pan Type: Platinum
- Working Atmospheres: UHP Nitrogen or Air
- Mass Sensitivity:
- Common Uses:
- Strengths:
- Constraints: System is a single cell unit – no Autosampler
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
The TA Instruments Q20 DSC measures the temperature and heat flows associated with thermal transitions in a materials. The thermal transitions in the material can provide information on properties such as: glass transitions, phase changes, crystallization and oxidation stability. The Q20 has a liquid nitrogen quencher to explore thermal transitions which occur below room temperature.
- Temperature Range: -150° – 600° C
- Working Atmosphere: UHP Nitrogen or Air
- Common Uses:
- Strengths:
- Constraints:
LN2 Quencher cooler for lower temperature work does not allow for measurements needing a controlled cooling cycle.
Heat-Cool-Heat cycles need to be manually controlled.
Cannot be taken above the vaporization point of the material
