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Materials characterization laboratory

Materials characterization laboratory

Whether through direct services or more substantial R&D projects, the laboratory of materials characterization offers real expertise in the characterization of the mechanical and physical behavior of materials.

The laboratory's resources, experience, and extensive network allow it to approach R&D projects and mandates in a multidisciplinary manner, seeking out and prioritizing the best expertise relative to the problem at hand and the client’s expectations.

To this end, and in partnership with the client, the project is broken down into phases: analysis of the existing situation, experimentation/development by qualified personnel, and then concrete proposals. This approach enables the achievement of ambitious and challenging objectives.

Équipement(s): 

Mechanical

  • Tensile testing with various setups (Schenck Trebel 100 KN / Schenck Trebel 50 KN and Shimadzu, AG-X plus, 50 KN, with extensometer)
  • Macro-hardness (Zwick Roell, Duravision 20, measurements: HRC, HBW, HV)
  • Micro-hardness (Shimadzu, HMV-G, HV measurement)
  • Nanoindenter (Anton Paar, NHT2)
  • Tribometer with accessories: pin-on-disk, block-on-ring, temperature control, liquid reservoir, 50 N load cell (can go up to 1000 N)

Physical

  • Thermal Analysis:
    • DMA (DMA 242 E Artemis, Netzsch)
    • DSC (DSC 214 Polyma, Netzsch)
    • TGA (TG 209 F3 Tarsus, Netzsch)
  • X-ray Diffraction (D2 Phaser, Bruker)
  • BET Surface Area Analyzer (Gemini VII, Micromeritics)
  • Volume and envelope density measurement on solid parts (Geopyc 1365, Micromeritics)

Microstructural

  • Optical Microscopy (Olympus BX 60, zoom: 5x-10x-20x-50x-100x)
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM, Desktop SEM PHENOM XL, ThermoFisher)
  • Metalizer with quartz balance (BT150, Plasmadiam)

Chemical

  • EDX (SEM) for chemical composition analysis
  • Continuous salt spray chamber (ISO 9227 standard – Neutral Salt Spray test), Weiss Technik
  • Microwave synthesizer with ruby and IR temperature probe (Monowave 400, Anton Paar)
  • Chemistry fume hoods with solvent and acid/base filters
  • Powder hood with HEPA filter
  • Thermal chambers
  • Quenching and tempering furnaces with controllable atmosphere (industrial furnace, Solo, 100-1000°C)
  • Tube furnace under controlled atmosphere (up to 1600°C)
  • Dry ovens (Memmert, UL30, 30-220°C & CONTERM J.P. SELECTA, 19 L, 40-250°C)

Other

  • 12 mm ultrasonic probe, 1000W, 25kHz, 50µm amplitude (BEM-1000A, BuenoBiotech)
  • 6 mm ultrasonic probe, 150W, 25kHz (Pulse 150, BenchmarkScientific)
  • TTC Amsonic ultrasonic bath line
  • Centrifuge (Universal 320 Hettich), rotor 1620A (7700xg, 50mL tubes)
  • Refrigerated microcentrifuge (5425R, Eppendorf), rotor FA-24x2 (21,300xg, 1.5-2mL tubes)
  • Turbula (WAB)

 

Contact

Head of laboratory

HEPIA
Rue de la Prairie 4
A.2.01 and A.2.22
1202 Genève
Switzerland