Compression Strength | $450
Compression Strength is the stress required to cause plastic deformation. Plastic deformation is the permanent change in the shape or size of a solid body without fracture, resulting from sustained stress beyond the elastic limit. Cylinder shaped specimens are placed in a test machine that applies an increasing compressive force until plastic deformation weakens the sample. The highest force recorded prior to deformation is the Compression Strength.
CTE | $400Increased thermal agitation expands the volume of a solid. The change in any dimension is directly proportional to the change in temperature. The coefficient relating these is an intrinsic characteristic of the material, determined by thermomechanical analysis (TMA) over a given temperature range. For thermoset plastics, the coefficient of thermal expansion above and below the glass transition is reported.
Degree of Cure | $450
The Degree of Cure is one of the key state variables in that it can describe the physical state of the thermoset as it transitions from a flowing resin into a solid matrix material. The degree of cure value can provide insight as to whether the polymer is still a flowing resin, has become a gelled semi-solid, or has become a physical solid with some insight into the potential mechanical strength of that solid.
Density (Specific Gravity) | $100
Density is mass divided by volume. We conduct these tests after conditioning the material to 75°F (24°C) to eliminate variation in density assessment due to temperature variation. Density will be provided in either pounds per gallon, or grams per cubic centimeter (also referred to as specific gravity).
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) | $350
DSC is a thermal analysis apparatus measuring how physical properties of a sample change, along with temperature against time. In other words, the device is a thermal analysis instrument that determines the temperature and heat flow associated with material transitions as a function of time and temperature.
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) | $450
A Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, otherwise known as DMA, is a technique where a small deformation is applied to a sample in a cyclic manner. This allows the materials’ response to stress, temperature, frequency, and other values to be studied. It is extremely useful for defining engineering limitations for a materials’ capacity to withstand specific temperature exposure.
Elongation (resin characterization) | $250
As a specimen is stretched due to tensile stress, the percent change from the original length is recorded with an extensometer. The elongation at the point of ultimate failure is reported.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) | $250
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is a technique used to obtain infrared spectrum of absorption, emission, and photoconductivity of a solid, liquid, or gas. It is used to detect different functional groups in PHB. FTIR spectrum is recorded between 4000 and 400 cm−1. The resulting image is a chemical fingerprint of the material in question.
Gel Time | $150
Gel Time is the time it takes for a mixed resin system to gel or become so highly viscous that it can no longer be considered workable or able to be handled. These tests are run using a 100-gram mass in our gel time test device.
Glass Transition (TG) | $350
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) is a very useful property for understanding the thermal characteristics of an epoxy resin system. The Tg is the temperature at which the epoxy changes from a glassy (solid) state to a soft, rubbery state. It can be considered the point at which a measurable reduction in physical properties occurs resulting from exposure to elevated temperatures. Please note that Tg values can be reported after a second heat. The second heat is the process of testing the sample after it has been exposed to an initial first heat which results in an elevated temperature, 392°F (200°C), post-cured sample. The second scan test is useful to understand the outcome of a post cure exposure to the resin system, which, in many cases can boost the defined temperature resistance.
Heat Capacity | $350
Heat capacity describes how much heat must be added to a substance to raise its temperature by 1 degree Celsius.
Heat of Reaction/Cure Kinetics | $350
This test method determines the exothermic heat of reaction of thermally reactive chemicals or chemical mixtures, using milligram specimen sizes, by differential scanning calorimetry. This test method is useful in determining the extrapolated onset temperature, the peak heat flow temperature and the heat of reaction of a material via ASTM E2160.
Lap Shear (ASTM D1002) | $350
Lap Shear measures the strength of an epoxy bonded joint when loaded in shear. The test is performed by bonding two metal coupons together with a 1/2” overlap and then pulling them apart with tension in a test machine. The tensile force creates a shear force in the bond line and the resulting stress is reported as the Lap Shear strength.
Melting Point | $350
Determining the melting point of a compound is one way to test if the substance is pure.
Mixed Viscosity | $250
Mixed Viscosity is the measurement of a materials resistance to flow for an A/B material system. Viscosity is taken at 75° F for the catalyzed resin system and is designed to assist with manufacturing process development.
Modulus (resin characterization) | $400The slope of stress applied to deform a specimen, and the percent change in the deformation along the direction of stress is defined as the modulus. This linear relationship holds indefinitely until the material is deformed passed its yield point, and will no longer reversibly deform and reform under load. The modulus may be analyzed in tension, compression, or flexure in a 3-point bending configuration.
Pot Life | $200
Pot Life is the amount of time a mixture of resin and hardener has a workable viscosity while in the mixing container. Pot life is determined using 100-gram sample mass in a standardized container at 75° F. Both mass and ambient temperature affect the rate at which an epoxy system will cure. Pot life should be used only for comparative purposes when evaluating a resin system’s cure time. Working Time is the amount of time the viscosity of the epoxy remains low enough to be processed. We can determine the effective pot life of a mixed resin system by measuring the starting viscosity of a material and identifying the point at which the viscosity has doubled.
Shore Hardness (00, A, D) | $100
Hardness is a measure of how hard the surface of a substance is. The harder the surface of a coating is, the more abrasion resistant it is. Testing is completed using a durometer which accurately measures the hardness of the surface of a cured resin.
Sub Ambient (-80F) and Elevated (600F) Lap Shear Testing | $1,000Lap Shear Strength measures the strength of an epoxy bonded joint when loaded in shear. The test is performed by bonding two 1" wide metal coupons together with a 1/2" overlap and then pulling them apart in tension within a chamber at a given temperature. The tensile force creates a shear force in the bond line and the resulting stress is reported as the Lap Shear strength.
Tensile Strength | $450
Tensile Strength is the stress that is required to fracture the epoxy and cause a failure. During this test, dog bone-shaped specimens are placed in a test machine that applies an increasing tensile force until failure. The highest stress recorded prior to failure is the Tensile Strength.
T-Peel Strength | $475
The primary purpose of this test method is to determine the relative peel resistance of adhesive bonds between flexible adherends by means of a T-type specimen. The term flexible refers to the ability of the adherend to bend through 90° without breaking or cracking.
Viscosity: Brookfield, Elevated Temperature Assessment | $250
This test provides the materials’ resistance to flow when tested at elevated temperature. The testing temperature ranges from 75° F to 400° F. Material resistance to flow will decrease as temperature increases. This test is designed to assist with manufacturing process development.
Viscosity: Brookfield, Ambient | $200
This test measures the materials’ resistance to flow. Testing is conducted after conditioning the sample to 75° F to standardize outcomes relevant to a set temperature as the material flow will change as a product is heated or cooled.
Viscosity: Parallel Plate | $1,000
Viscosity testing using a parallel plate rheometer is determined when a small sample is placed between two oscillating parallel plates and then heated. During curing, the resin is converted from a liquid (not cross-linked) or semi-solid into a rigid cross-linked solid.
Water Absorption | $150
The Water Absorption test is used for the calculation of the relative water absorption rate by plastics during immersion in specified conditions.
