The mechanical and physical characteristics of materials can be determined by means the following instruments:

• Universal dynamometer, Lloyd Instruments mod. LK30
• Ball drop impact tester
• Rheometer and dynamic-mechanical analyzer (DTMA), Rheometric Scientific mod. Ares
• Melt flow index (MFI), Campana
• Polarized Optical Light Microscopy, Hund mod. H600
• Hot-stage for temperature control, Mettler Toledo mod. FP82
• Electric impedance analyzers, Hewlett Packard mod. 4291A
• Electric impedance analyzers, Hewlett Packard mod. 4284A
• Electrometer Keithley mod. 6517B with resistivity test fixture mod. 8009
• Portable thermophysical properties analyzer ISOMET 2104
• Q-Lab QUV Weathering Tester – Model QUV/Spray

The dynamometer can be adapted as a function of the test-typology to be performed: Tensile tests, Compressive tests, shear tests, Fatigue tests, Creep tests. It can support many load cell from 5 N to 30 kN. A new dynamometer, INSTRON model 3382, which can support up to 100 kN load cell, is coming.

Tensile testing represents the most common type of test for materials and products. Characterizing and reporting tensile test properties is a basic need in most labs from quality control and R&D. Many tensile tests are performed on static systems, although in many cases dynamic systems can be used for tensile tests. System considerations are test speed, control mode, ultimate load, and test displacement.

Tests that characterize material performance under constant strain or stress conditions fall into the category of creep and stress relaxation. These tests can provide important information as to material or component properties under longer term conditions. Our equipment can also be controlled in temperature (-50:200 °C).

Rheological measurements can explore problems of flow processes, quality control, storage and processing stability, and product texture, which are critical to the development and production of plastics, foods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and cosmetics with the desired properties.

Our equipment can be interfaced to the dielectric one in order to monitor complex phenomena such as the cure kinetic of thermoset polymers.

The ball-drop impact tester, is a tool for measuring the response to an impact of the materials, consisting of a structural part and one that allows electronic capture of data from the transitional shock. The impact is produced by a dart of mass 15.5 kg falling from a height known, set by the operator, which can reach up to 8 meters. The design of the instrument, though it has been done by this research group, has followed those guidelines as dictated by ASTM standards D 5628-95 and ASTM F 736-81.

The Keithley electrometer 6517B is a 6½-digit electrometer/high-resistance test and measurement system with the following measurement capabilities:

• Resistance measurements from 10Ω to 210PΩ.
• DC voltage measurements from 1μV to 210V.
• DC current measurements from 10aA to 21mA.
• Charge measurements from 10fC to 2.1μC.
• Surface resistivity measurements.
• Volume resistivity measurements.
• External temperature measurements from -25°C to 150°C

ISOMET 2104 is a portable measuring instrument for direct measurement of thermophysical properties of a wide range of materials. Thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, heat capacity, can be measured. It is equipped with various types of probes: needle probes are for porous and soft materials, surface probes for hard materials. It applies a dynamic measurement method which can ensure a very low time of measurement (8-16 minutes).

The QUV/spray is an Accelerated Weathering Tester. In just a few days or weeks, the QUV/se can reproduce damages due to UV exposition that may occur over months or even years outdoors. It also includes a water spray system. The QUV/spray can be set to produce the following conditions: UV alone, spray alone, or condensation.

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