Mechanical and Physical Properties Laboratory
Fatigue and fracture tests of welded stainless steel conduit.
Unique test equipment and methods are used by scientists to evaluate the performance of materials in extreme environments. We also provide testing and analysis services to industry, universities and government agencies that require our experience and distinctive capabilities.
Tests
Typical Mechanical Properties Tests
- Tension and Compression
- Fatigue (S-N and FCGR)
- Fracture Toughness
- Shear (Double lap, Punch)
- Bi-axial Shear/Compression
- Charpy Impact, Hardness
- SC-Cable Mechanical Properties
Typical Physical Properties Tests
- Thermal Expansion
- Thermal Conductivity, Specific Heat
- Elastic Modulus and Poisson Ratio
- Superconductor Critical Properties: Tcs, Bc, Ic vs Field and Strain
- Resistivity, RRR
- Magnetization, Magnetoresistance
The fracture surface from a 4K toughness test of Pure Nb helps explain the ductile to brittle transition observed at cryogenic temperatures. Click on photo for larger version.
Equipment
Equipment for testing mechanical properties includes:
- 100 kN (22 kip) MTS, w/cryostat (PDF)
- 250 kN (55 kip) MTS, w/cryostat
- 250 kN (55 kip) MTS
- 250 kN (55 kip) MTS Cryogenic System w/ 12 T Split Magnet (PDF)
- 500 kN (110 kip) MTS, w/cryogenic capabilities
- 50 kN (11 kip) Instron Screw machine (Elevated Temp Chamber)
- 5 kN (1 kip) Instron Screw Machine
- 250 N (50 lb) MTS Tytron Servo-electric
- 22 kN (6 kip) High Cycle Fatigue (Electric Motor w/Cam/Lever)
- 400 N-m (300 ft-lb) Charpy Impact
- Rockwell Hardness Tester
- Micro-hardness tester
Equipment for testing physical properties includes:
- Ic vs B Probe (ITER Barrels and Hairpin)
- Jc vs B and Strain Rig (100 mm long sample, 2.5 kN / 2kA / 20 T)
- PPMS, Quantum Design (9T, Temp. Range 1.9 K - 400 K)
- Thermal Expansion Dilatometer, Anter (Temp. Range 4 K - 1273 K)
- Ultrasonic Elastic Modulus (295 K)
- Resistance Measurement Test Stand (RRR)
For more information, please contact Bob Walsh or Jun Lu.
