Testing and Services
The Center for Innovative Sintered Products at University Park offers extensive laboratory services for routine analysis or materials processing. The 20,000 sq. foot (1858 sq. meter) state-of-the-art Center has expanded from supporting internal testing and analysis to offering these services to private industry and other academic institutions. Our cooperative alliance with other laboratories across the university provides expanded access to high-tech equipment for all testing needs. Please contact us to request a quote for these tests.
Thermal Analysis
| DSC ⁄ DTA ⁄ TGA (H2, Ar, N2, air, vacuum, max 1500°C) |
| Dilatometry (H2, Ar, N2, air, max 1500°C) |
| Heat Treatment |
Particle Size Measurements
| Laser Scattering—Wet or Dry Dispersion (0.01–3000µm) |
| Sedimentation (centrifugal or gravitational, 0.01–300µm) |
Microscopy
| Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): secondary or backscatter |
| EDS—Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy: EDAX |
| Quantitative Image Analysis: grain size, porosity, etc. |
X–Ray Diffraction
| Identifies Compounds Present |
Density Measurements
| Pycnometer Density (theoretical density using helium) |
| Envelope Density |
| Apparent Density |
| Tap Density |
| Archimedes Density |
Metallography
| Metallographic Mounting, Polishing |
| Cut–Off Saws, water cooled |
| Light Microscope (50x to 1000x) |
| Optical Binocular (4x to 70x) |
Furnace Use
| Retort (H2, Ar, max 1000°C); 0.4 cu ft. |
| Tube Furnace (H2, N2, Ar, max 1500°C) |
| Tungsten Element Furnace (vacuum, N2, Ar); 0.8 cu ft. |
| Graphite Element Furnace (vacuum, max 2000°C) |
| Rapid Heat Box Furnace (max 1700°C); 0.7 cu ft. |
| Hydrogen Box Furnace (50% or higher H2, balance N2) |
| Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS); Ar, N2, H2, 2200°C, 80 mm die, 175 kN |
Shape Forming and Feedstock Preparation
| Compaction |
| Cold Isostatic Pressing |
| Compounding |
Experimental Milling of Powders
| Rod or Ball Milling, Attritor, Vibratory, Double Planetary |
Mechanical Testing
| Rockwell Hardness |
| Microhardness: Vickers, Knoop |
| Tensile Testing |
| Three–Point and Four–Point Bend |
| Fatigue Testing, Uniaxial |
| Wear Testing |
