Materials Centre of Excellence

Facilities

The Materials CETIC has access to state-of-the art equipment and facilities as listed below.

• Microstructural Investigation

• Mechanical Testing

• Thermal Treatment

• Corrosion and Coatings

• Polymers and Composites

• Computing

In addition, through our contacts in Wales and beyond, we can arrange access to a variety of other facilities such as non-destructive examination.

Microstructural Investigation

A Phillips (FEI) XL30 controlled pressure Scanning Electron Microscope with a HKL Nordlys Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) system A Jeol JSM 35C Scanning Electron Microscope with a Link Isis Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectroscopy unit. A Jeol JSM 6100 Scanning Electron Microscope with an Oxford Opal Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) system A Millbrook Instruments Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) unit A Reichert-Jung MEF3 Optical Microscope Digital image capture and image analysis software Several bench optical microscopes for routine investigations Metallographic preparation laboratory

Mechanical Testing

Four laboratories dedicated to high temperature creep testing of metals, ceramics and polymers. These include several full size constant-stress creep machines and eight specialised machines for creep testing miniature disk specimens. Tests can be carried out in inert gas environments. A servo-mechanical laboratory containing machines equipped for low and high cycle fatigue at ambient and elevated temperatures. Some of these machines can also perform tension-torsion testing. A thermo-mechanical testing machine equipped with rapid induction heating to allow thermal fatigue tests to be carried out. A single-shot servo-hydraulic machine, capable of high rates of compressive deformation, for studying forging of cylindrical specimens with an axi-symmetric stress state. A unique custom-built apparatus called the Advanced Semi-Solid Elongation Test (ASSET) for studying the mechanical behaviour of alloys at the extreme temperatures above and just below the solidus. This has a temperature capability of 1400°C and employs a non-contact optical strain measurement system based on digital linescan cameras.

Thermal Treatment

The Marchwood Laboratory houses two Gleeble machines (models 3500 and 1500) capable of heating specimens by direct resistance heating at rates in excess of 10000 °C per second. These machines can be used to subject materials to a pre-determined temperature-time profile (such as that in a weld heat affected zone) and simultaneously apply compressive or tensile stresses. Tests can be carried out in air, inert gas or vacuum. Also in the Marchwood Laboratory is a range of creep testing machines, including those for testing miniature specimens. Several conventional furnaces are also available in a dedicated laboratory with a range of size capacities, temperature capabilities and inert gas/vacuum options.

Corrosion and Coatings

FTIR-Raman and FTIR microscope equipment for ultra sensitive and spatially resolved infra-red spectroscopic investigation of organic coatings and coating components. Ultra-low-light digital camera/video equipment for photo-emissive and photo (electro) chemical studies of coating integrity and coating degradation. Two fully automatic Scanning Kelvin Microprobes optimised for the investigation of atmospheric corrosion and corrosion-driven coatings de-lamination. Five fully automatic Scanning Vibrating Electrode instruments (capable of 3-dimensional scanning) for the determination of localised corrosion rates. Hot Dip Metallic Coatings Simulator for zinc and zinc alloy coatings development.

Polymers and Composites

Small scale processing of polymers, including press to produce up to 200mm squares of material Ultra Violet degradation testing cabinet DMTA (Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis) to 300°C and up to 15 Newtons force Thermal Expansion Coefficient measurement ESH servo-hydraulic for tension-torsion 25kN Hounsfield mechanical testing machine with load cells down to 500 N Constant load creep machines to 150°C and liquid environment if necessary 50°C cabinets for bend tests and disc tests Several fatigue machines

Computing

A range of software and associated expertise is available for modelling processes such as forging and casting, together with commercial CAD and FEM analysis packages. The centre has several high-specification PCs attached to the University network.

Miscellaneous

Additional equipment includes: An infra-red thermal imaging camera. A laser speckle-pattern unit for analysis of surface deformation. Two Pilamec vibration ball mills for production of powders, together with associated sieving apparatus.

Technical Backup

The centre has access to a highly skilled team of technicians and fabrication workshops with state of the art CNC machines for production of specimens and other components to a high tolerance.