Materials testing and characterization
Materials testing and characterization
Materials characterization facilities include various optical microscopy techniques for structural and surface analysis, and X-ray diffractometry for phase, structure, and residual stress analysis. The multipurpose testing facilities include for example hardness testing, non-destructive testing, climate and corrosion testing, icing research and testing systems, and analysis of packaging materials. Well-equipped furnace laboratory provides possibilities for different heat treatments. There is also versatile software for the material and material property modelling.
Equipment
Optical microscope, Leica DMi8 A
- Inverted fully motorized microscope
- Contrasting techniques: Brightfield, Dark field, Polarization, and Differential Interference Contrast (DIC)
- Objectives: 0.7x, 5x, 10x, 20x, 50x, and 100x
- Leica Application Suite LAS X software with versatile image analysis possibilities
Materials microscope system Leica DM 2500
- Incident and transmitted light
- Bright field and dark field reflectors
- Polarizator R/P, L29x11.5
- Analyzator 180°
- Objectives: 2.5x, 5x, 10x, 20x, 50x, and 100x
- Leica FlexaCam C1 USB3 digital camera
- Leica LASX software with x-y stitching module
Zoom stereo microscope Leica MZ 7.5
- 2x objective, magnification range 12,6x - 100x
- 0,5 objective, magnification range 3,2x - 25x
- Leica CLS150 LED cold light source
- Segment ring light with 6 segments, Ø 7,6mm
- Leica FlexaCam C1 USB3 digital camera
- Leica LASX software with z stitching module
Alicona InfiniteFocus G5 for surface profile 3D measuring
InfiniteFocus is a highly accurate and fast optical 3D measurement system. The range of measurable surfaces is almost unlimited, enabled by the use of coaxial lighting and an optimized LED ring light.
Key analysis features
Large area imaging with automatic stitching
- Real optical 2D image, and 3D analysis with perfect depth focus
- Maximum sample weight is up to 30 kg and size can be up to 25 cm in height and 30 cm in lateral directions.
- High optical resolution: vertically up to 10 nm and laterally up to 0.44 µm with high imaging speed
Surface roughness measurements
- Profile roughness and surface texture (area based roughness)
Combining texture (optical microscope) and topography (profilometer) data in single measurement result
Measurements of real 3D objects with 360° rotation
- Difference measurements, e.g., before and after use measurements of components
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Possibility to import from and export to CAD/FEM software
Panalytical Empyrean Multipurpose Diffractometer (XRD)
X-ray diffraction (XRD) is an analytical technique primarily used for phase identification of a crystalline material. It also provides information on unit cell dimensions. Typically, the analyzed material is finely ground, homogenized, and average bulk composition is determined, but also bulk materials can be analyzed.
Technical details
- Anode materials: Cu, Co
- Qualitative and Quantitative Phase Analysis
- Rietveld Analysis
- Residual Stress Measurement
- Texture Analysis
- Small Angle X-ray Scattering
- Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction Analysis of thin film material
Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Bruker Optics Tensor 27
Infrared spectroscopy is based on the absorption of IR radiation by chemical bonds. The collected raw data is converted into spectrum via Fourier transformation. FT-IR spectroscopy can be used to identify unknown materials and determine the quality or consistency of a sample. Available accessories enable measurement of solids, liquids (ATR), powders (Integrating sphere/DRIFTS) and the output gasses of TGA measurements (TGA-FTIR).
Technical details
- Radiation source: MIR
- Spectral Range: 4000 to 400 cm‐1 (depending on the detector)
- Detectors: MCT and DLATGS
Measurement methods
- ATR with diamond or germanium crystal
- Reflection-absorption (RA-IR), angle 30-80º
- Integrating sphere
- TGA-FTIR
Krüss DSA100 Droplet Shape Analyzer
Wettability and wetting of the surfaces can be analysed with droplet shape analyzer placed in controlled room (temperature 21°C and relative humidity 50%). Many solid materials and liquids can be tested. Small sample size and liquid amounts used (a few cm/µL).
Measured values based on image analysis of droplets
- Static contact angle
- Advancing and receiving angles
- Hysteresis
- Sliding angle/roll-off angle
- Surface free energy
- Surface tension
Droplet behavior with Peltier temperature control plate
- Temperature range -20 - +120°C
- Heating and cooling rate +/- 1K/s
- Maximum sample size (L x W x H) 90 x 90 x 20 mm
Micropore Gas Adsorption Analyzer Micromeritics 3Flex 3500
3Flex gas adsorption analyzer can be used to analyze surface area and pore size of the powder or fibrous samples by adsorption and desorption of the gases. Equipment is capable of measuring 3 samples simultaneously with different gases if needed, while pretreating 6 samples. As a result of the measurement is full adsorption-desorption isotherm, from where for example specific surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution can be determined in range of 0,35 to 500 nm.
Technical details
- 3 measurement ports, from which 2 are equipped to micro pore range (below 2nm)
- 2 sizes of sample tubes, inner diameter of the tube 6 mm and 9mm
- For powder and fibrous samples, which can be fitted inside the sample tube
- Analysis range 1,3*10-8 - 1.0 P/P0
- Minimum measurable surface area 0,01 m2/g
- Analysis gases: nitrogen as standard, also other gases can be used
Feritscope FMP30
The FERITSCOPE FMP30 measures the ferrite content in austenitic and duplex steel according to the magnetic induction method. All magnetisable structure sections are measured i. e., in addition to delta‑ferrite also strain‑induced martensite, for example, or other ferritic phases. It is suited for measurements according to the Basler‑Standard and according to DIN EN ISO 17655. Areas of application are onsite measurements, e. g. of austenitic platings as well as weld seams in stainless steel pipes, containers, boilers or other products made of austenitic or duplex steel.
Technical details
• Non‑destructive measurement of the ferrite content in a range from 0.1 to 80 % Fe or 0.1 to 110 FN
• Units of measurement switchable between WRC‑FN and % Fe
• Automatic probe recognition
Innovatest Nemesis 5100G2 universal automatic hardness tester
- Vickers 10 gf - 150 kgf; standards DIN EN ISO 6507, ASTM E-92, ASTM E-384
- Brinell 1 kgf - 250 kgf; standards DIN EN ISO 6506, ASTM E-10
- Knoop 10 gf - 5 kgf; standards DIN EN ISO 4545,ASTM E-92, ASTM E-384
- Rockwell 3 kgf - 150 kgf; standards DIN EN ISO 6508, ASTM E-18, JIS Z 2245
- Multi load cell, closed loop system, custom test force configuration
- Force range from 10gf up to 250kgf
- 9 position tool changer (turret) with visual LED process indicators
- Free to configure 8 objectives, 8 indenters, cross laser, touch probe, optional tools
- Hardness tester & Metallurgy microscope with optional Metalloscope™ software
- iSMART™ docking station for CNC X-Y motorized or manual stage solutions
- Automatic workpiece height detection
- Unique collision detection and test head retraction system
More information: Innovatest
Duramin-A300 hardness tester
- Vickers: HV 0.1 - HV 30; standard DIN EN ISO 6507
- Brinell: HB1/2.5 - HB2.5/31.25; standard DIN EN ISO 6506
- Knoop: HK 0.1 - HK 1; standard DIN EN ISO 4545
- Max. sample: height 150 mm, weight 20 kg.
Matsuzawa MMT-X7 micro Vickers hardness tester
- Testing force: 49,03 - 9807 mN (HV0,005 – HV1).
- Max sample: height 120 mm, depth 160 mm.
Shore A and Shore D hardness tester
- The Shore A Hardness Scale measures the hardness of flexible rubbers. Semi-rigid plastics can also be measured on the high end of the Shore A Scale.
- Shore D Hardness Scale measures the hardness of hard rubbers, semi-rigid plastics and hard plastics.
NDT (non-destructive testing) is a group of testing methods which are used for example in quality control of gears, castings and weld inspection of final products without compromising components final use. NDT laboratory provides facilities to carry out non-destructive testing and services for researchers at Tampere University Hervanta campus.
We have modern tools for versatile NDT measurements. For surface flaw detection we have surface replica technique, liquid penetrant inspection instruments and magnetic particle instruments.
Surface layer can be inspected with magnetic Barkhausen noise device Rollscan350 (Stresstech) and bulk analysis can be done with phased array ultrasound device Phasor XS (Olympus).
Surface residual stress measurements can be carried out with portable X-ray diffraction based device XStress3000 (Stresstech). The same device can be used to perform retained austenite measurements from polycrystalline materials. Electrolytical polishing device Movipol-5 (Struers) enables the residual stress and retained austenite depth profiles.
Detailed information in the NDT laboratory webpages
ICE Laboratory is well-equiped for icing research and testing. Ice accretion, ice adhesion and ice removal can be investigated with the icing wind tunnel and the centrifugal ice adhesion tester. Icing conditions and testing setups can be modified for application-related conditions.
In addition to ICE Laboratory facilities, we have possibility to analyze droplet freezing behavior by measuring wettability with Peltier temperature control plate.
Detailed information in the ICE laboratory webpages
UV chamber
The chamber is equipped with four UVA-340 fluorescent tubes (Q-Panel Lab Products) as the radiation source. The spectrum in the chamber is close to sunlight in the critical short wavelength UV region, and the solar cut off is 295 nm.
Technical details
- Chamber size 1260 x 710 x 450 mm
- The dose rate at the UVB range (290–315 nm) 0.7 W/m2,
- The dose rate at the UVA range (315–400 nm) 12.1 W/m2,
- The dose rate at the visible range (400–600 nm) 3.1 W/m2
- 1 h of irradiation corresponds to a 57 kJ/m2 dose.
Xenon Weathering system ATLAS SunTest XLS+
The SUNTEST XLS+ is used to check for property changes of materials and products caused by sunlight, temperature and moisture in a short period of time.
The SunTest XLS+ weathering system uses a single Xenon UV-lamp. The specimen chamber is equipped with a black body temperature sensor and precise temperature control to match the ageing to the intended environment.
- 39 x 30 cm (1170 cm2) exposure area
Cold laboratory test robot
The cold laboratory test robot can be used to study for example friction, wear and fatigue at low temperatures. Testing is done by an automated system including an NC-controlled robot with four degrees of freedom (x, y, z and rotation around the z-axis). Data is collected with two 3D force cells and is analysed with LabView. The cold laboratory test robot is used for example to study car and bicycle tires, ice hockey sticks and shoe soles.
Technical details
- Laboratory temperature can be adjusted accurately between +20…-40°C
- The movement range of the robot is 4 meters in the longitudinal direction, about 1 meter in the horizontal direction and about 80 cm in the vertical direction. There are both mechanical and electrical safety limits.
- Maximum speed 15 m/s, but may be lower since it depends on vertical load and friction of the surfaces
- Maximum vertical load 6 kN
- Two grippers, one for small specimens and one circular gripper. Design of new grippers for special cases is possible.
Vötsch VC 0018 Climatic test system chamber
- Temperature range -10°C to + 90°C
- 10 to 98 relative humidity range
- Test chamber dimensions width 580 x depth 450 x height 750 mm
Vötsch VC 0060 Climatic test system chamber
- Temperature range -10°C to + 90°C
- 10 to 98 relative humidity range
- Test chamber dimensions width 800 x depth 800 x height 950 mm
Arctest climate chamber (600 l)
- Temperature range -53°C to + 95°C
- 20 to 98 relative humidity range
- Test chamber dimensions width 1000 x depth 700 x height 850 mm
Arctest climate chamber (900 l)
- Temperature range -53°C to + 95°C
- 20 to 98 relative humidity range
- Test chamber dimensions width 1500 x depth 750 x height 900 mm
Several devices for different corrosion-monitoring techniques
- three computer controlled potentiostatic study devices for polarization measuring
- device for resting potential measurements
- salt spray test equipment
Corrosion monitoring can also be performed in temperature cabinets. In addition to the corrosion analysis there is possibility to use SEM with EDS analysis and X-ray diffraction device.
Polarization and resting potential measurements are electrochemical techniques in corrosion analysis. Corrosion rates and charge transfer properties of an electrochemical system can rapidly be predicted from impedance data and from potentiodynamic techniques. Corrosion rate depends primarily on factors relating to the electrochemical reaction, temperature, electrode material, surface area and chemical environment.
Measurements provide information about corrosion reactions. They can be monitored or driven at the surface of a desired metal sample, and a variety of characteristics related to the metal/environment pairing can be determined. Examples of characteristics of interest include open circuit or corrosion potential, instantaneous corrosion rate, passivation behavior, pitting potential and susceptibility, and galvanic corrosion behavior of dissimilar metal pairs. Salt spray tests are type of accelerated corrosion test.
Material Science has several furnaces for example for heat treatments. These are used to produce components with demanded strength, hardness, porosity, pore size distribution and wanted functional properties from shaped green state ceramics. There are high temperature furnaces especially for ceramic specimens. We have two air atmosphere chamber furnaces and one furnace with inert atmosphere.
Nabertherm VHT 8/22-GR
Chamber
- 8 liters (170x240x200) or with Graphite process box 3 liters (120x210x150)
- Max. Charge 5 kg
Max. Temperature 2200 C
- Heating speed max. 600 K/h min 1 K/h (empty furnace)
- Cooling speed max. appx. 1900 K/h (from 2200 in protective gas)
Vacuum & Gas
- 2-stage rotary vane pump Leybold Trivac D16B < 5x10-2 mbar
- 2 gas connections with mass flow controllers
- Argon and nitrogen
- Gas flow rate 50-500 l/h with filling time appx. 60 s
- Partial pressure 10-1000 mbar (abs.)
Automatic controller (Siemens S7 PLC) for vacuum, gas and heating
High Temperature Furnaces ENTECH SF6 (1990, 1995)
- maximum temperature 1650-1700°C
- chamber size: 200mm x 200mm x 350mm
- maximum allowed heating rate up to 1600°C is 20°C/min
- cooling rate for empty furnace with closed door: 1600-1100°C 50°C/min, 1100-600°C 17°C/min, 600-200°C 7°C/min
- limitations for specimen:metallic and ceramic materials max T around 1000°C
- maximum specimen 180 mm x 180 mm x 300 mm; maximum weight 4 kg
Well-equipped laboratory has modern analytical methods for characterizing the essential properties of packaging materials.
Permeability (barrier)
- WVTR, O2TR, CO2TR, HVTR, grease
Sealability
- hot bar, hot air, ultrasonic
Strength and adhesion properties
Microscopic and surface analysis
Sample preparation laboratory
Versatile laboratory for specimen preparation
- Automatic grinding and polishing equipment: Struers Tegramin-30 and Buehler Phoenix 4000
- Manual grinding machines: Buehler MetaServ 250 and Struers LaboSystem
- Glass grinding machine: Kristall 2000S
- Electrolytic polishing and etching machine: Struers LectroPol -5
- Hot mounting Equipment: Struers CitoPress-10
- Cold mounting Equipment: Struers CitoVac
- Precision cutting machines: Accutom 50 and 100
- Cut-off machines: Discotom 5 and 10
- Manual cut-off machine: Buehler Isomet
- Density meter: Wallace
- Vibratory Sieve Shaker: Fritsch
Tub vibrator, Walther Trowal TFM 49/21
Tub vibrator is a “all-round” mass finishing machine that can be used for a broad range of applications depending on the grinding media:
- General deburring
- Heavy duty radiusing (edge breaking)
- Surface smoothing
- Polishing
- De-greasing
- Surface cleaning
- Pickling, descaling, derusting
Key features
- Chamber size (w x l x h) 210 mm x 490 mm x 140 mm
- Usable volume 15 l
- Standard speed 1500 RPM
- More information (link)
Software
Wide range of numerical analysis mainly based on finite element (FE) method.
- FE software Abaqus (Simulia)
Specialized in fracture and damage
- Delamination and debond
- Impact
- Aging
Materials:
- Composites
- Adhesive bonded joints
- Elastomers
- Metals
JMatPro is a commercial software package which is based on CALPHAD – method and extended by models which allow calculation of materials properties.
- It is able to calculate phase transformation diagrams, CCT/TTT-diagrams and for generation of materials property data for FE-simulation, like casting-, forming- and heat-treatment simulations
- Modules: Aluminium, General Steel, Stainless Steels, and Cast Iron
- Academic licence: used extensively in teaching and in academic studies
- Reconstructs the orientation map of a high-temperature austenitic microstructure based on a bainitic or martensitic orientation map produced by EBSD
- Provides information is extremely difficult to measure in-situ
- The result can be used to analyze the crystallographic texture and morphology of the high-temperature austenitic microstructure
User policy and pricing
Policy for users from Tampere University
The staff mainly trains people to use the instruments independently and provides support and training. We can also help you analyse your sample especially in cases where you need the more advanced techniques.
Policy and fees for external partners
For more information, contact us.
Research groups
Materials testing and characterization facilities are utilized in the research of all kind of materials, including polymers, elastomers, ceramics, metals, and coatings. Read more from the webpages of the research groups.
