Lab Services

ResinLab’s laboratory is equipped to characterize polymers and formulations including potting compounds and adhesives. These capabilities support new product development, technical service, and quality assurance. The laboratory team is also available for contract lab services and custom formulation consulting work.

Imaging

Using the Hitachi TM3030 Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Bruker Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX) attachment, ResinLab is capable of imaging samples at magnifications from 15 to 30,000x, including a chemical analysis of the sample surface – helpful for a variety of applications:

  • Fiber impregnation
  • Fracture analysis
  • Polymer and composite analysis
  • Elemental analysis of impurities (to 0.1 atomic %)
  • Pigment and filler dispersion analysis
  • Image processing for sample feature dimensions (down to 500 nm)
  • Cross-sectional surface analysis of a cured material is possible for specimens with thickness less than 3 mm.

Test specimens must be solids.

ASTM: E1508, F1877

Hitachi TM3030 Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope

 


 

Dinolite Edge Digital Microscope
Our Dinolite Edge 4115T-FUW Digital Microscope captures optical images in the magnification range of 20X to 220X. It has internal white LED lights and a variety of caps used to diffuse or distribute the light. It also has internal 375 nm wavelength UV lights, allowing for inspection and identification of parts that may have a UV tracer. The microscope software has calibration and measurement functions that can quantify size, area, and other features within a specimen.

 

 

Rheological Analysis

 

Our TA Instruments HR-20 Discovery Hybrid Rheometer can characterize a wide range of rheological properties. Our capability includes a thermoelectric Peltier plate which enables isothermal and programmed temperature schedules from 0 to 200 °C.

Properties include:

  • Viscosity at different shear rates
  • Cure response
  • Yield stress

ASTM: D2196, D4473, D7836

ResinLab also utilizes the Gardco Gel Timer and Gardco Hot Pot Gel Timer to generate a gel time value for a 150 cc or 100 cc sample. The Gardco Hot Pot Gel Timer can cure at ambient room temperature, as well as elevated temperatures ranging from 65 to 175 °C.

The digital Brookfield DV-II Viscometer aids in measuring viscosity.

TA Instruments HR-20 Discovery Hybrid Rheometer

 

 

Thermal Analysis

 

TA Instruments Discovery DSC 250 Auto

The TA Instruments Discovery DSC 250 Auto allows for full characterization of polymer formula cure and cured product thermal properties such as:

  • Glass transition temperature (Tg)
  • Melting and boiling temperature
  • Heat of fusion and vaporization
  • Crystallization temperature and energetics
  • Degree of cure
  • Cure kinetics

The temperature range of the instrument is -120 °C to +725 °C.

ASTM: D3418, D7426

 

Q400 TMA

Our TA Instruments Q400 Thermomechanical Analyzer (TMA) measures the dimensional changes of materials under conditions of controlled temperature, time, and force. The temperature range of the instrument is -50 °C to +350 °C. Test specimens should have parallel faces and will ideally be 1-10 mm thick. A small piece that is roughly 0.7 cm by 0.7 cm is the maximum size capable of sitting on the stage.

Properties that can be measured:

  • Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE)
  • Glass transition temperature (Tg), softening (HDT), and melting temperature
  • Compression modulus
  • Flexure by 3-point bend

ASTM: E831, E1545

 

Thermtest TPS 2500S Hot Disk Analyzer

Our Thermtest TPS 2500S “Hot Disk” Analyzer measures thermal properties with high accuracy and reproducibility. Our current capability allows for testing of solids, viscous liquids / pastes, and powders at room temperature. In a typical test configuration, two identical specimens are tested, prepared as disc-shaped ‘pucks’ of material, and compress the thin-film sensor that both sources and senses during the measurement.

Properties include:

  • Thermal diffusivity
  • Thermal conductivity
  • Specific heat capacity
  • Volumetric specific heat capacity

 


 

UL94 Testing

 

 

We also are equipped to perform UL94 testing, both vertical (UL94V) and horizontal (UL94HB) burn methods, with capability to cast bars at 3 and 6 mm. Please note that ResinLab is not a certified test laboratory, and UL certifications cannot be provided by ResinLab. These tests provide data that supports the pursuit of certification.

 

 

Chemical Characterization

 

Nicolet iS10 ATR-FTIR

Our Nicolet iS10 Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infared Spectrometer (ATR-FTIR) generates a fingerprint of a sample’s chemical functional groups. The ATR attachment enables non-destructive analysis of the sample.

Properties include:

  • Chemical composition
  • Impurity analysis
  • Comparison of chemicals for quality assurance

ASTM: E1252

Mechanical Property Characterization

 

Instron 3369 Universal Tester

Our Instron 3369 Universal Tester measures a wide variety of properties across a full spectrum of materials including plastics, metals, ceramics, textiles, adhesives, elastomers, foams, and more. We also have an Instron 3119-615 Environmental Chamber with a temperature range of -100 to +350 ­°C. It is tall enough to allow for tensile testing of materials with a significant elongation to break.

Properties include:

  • Adhesive strength (lap shear, 180° or 90° peel)
  • Tensile strength, yield stress, elongation to break, and modulus
  • Compressive strength, yield stress, resiliency, and modulus
  • Flexural strength, yield stress, and modulus (3-point bend)
  • Tear strength

We can measure a wide range of polymeric materials, including tough, high hardness epoxies and urethanes, and softer silicone elastomers.

ASTM: D903, D1876, D695, D1002, D3163, D638, D790, D624

We also have Shore Durometers in the D, A, and OO scales available to measure material hardness.

ASTM: D2240

 

 

Optical Properties

 

Q-SUN Xenon Test Chamber

 

 

Our Q-SUN Xe-1 Xenon Test Chamber simulates the effects of direct sunlight by providing light across UV and visible wavelengths in a controlled environment. Our chamber is equipped with a xenon arc lamp and Daylight – Q Filter, which correlates with the full spectrum of direct natural sunlight.

 


 

 

 

 

The Rudolph Research Analytical J457 Automatic Refractometers provide the capability to measure refractive indices of solid and liquid samples at wavelengths of 589 nm and 405 nm. Solid samples must be ½” in diameter and between 1-2 mm thick.

Rudolph J457

 

Electrical Property Characterization

 

Our Jandel RM3000 is a 4-point probe that can measure electrical properties of both thin film and bulk materials, including electrically conductive adhesives.

It can be used for characterization of the electrical resistivity (conductivity):

  • Electrical conductivity measurement, 1 milliohm-per-square (10-3) up to 5 x 108 ohms-per-square with 0.3% accuracy
  • Bulk/volume resistivity measurement, 1 milliohm-cm (10-3) up to 106 ohms-cm

ASTM: D2739

Jandel RM3000

 


 

Keysight B2985A Resistivity Meter

 

Our Keysight B2985A Resistivity Meter with 16008B Resistivity Cell can measure volume and surface resistivity of electrically insulating materials. Temperature and humidity are measured in tandem with resistivity. The test meter is specified for use from 0 to 55 °C at less than 70 % RH. Values are typically generated at a source voltage of 500 V. A typical sample size is a 4” by 4” square with a thickness of 3 mm. The two faces of the square should be as flat and parallel as possible.

Resistivity measurement ranges are as follows:

  • Volume resistivity [1 x 107 ohm.cm to 4 x 1018 ohm-cm]
  • Surface resistivity [1 x 106 ohm/sq to 4 x 1017 ohm/sq]

ASTM D257

 


 

 

Our Keysight E4908AL Dielectric Constant Meter and 16451B Test Cell measures dielectric constant (relative permittivity) and dissipation factor (tan delta). The test cell can be used at temperatures ranging from 0 to 55 °C. The test meter can provide measurements in the frequency range 20 Hz to 300 kHz. To generate accurate and reproducible results, the fixture requires disc-shaped specimens with thickness less than 10 mm, with 2 mm or less ideal, a diameter of 40 to 56 mm (1.6 to 2.2 inches), and surfaces as flat and parallel as possible.

ASTM D150

Keysight E4908AL Dielectric Constant Meter

 


 

Phenix 4TCE100 10/D149 Dielectric Strength Tester

 

Our Phenix 4TCE100-10/D149 DC Dielectric Strength Tester measures the dielectric strength, or voltage required to generate failure, in insulating materials. We have Type 2 and Type 5 electrodes and a room-temperature oil bath with transformer oil that conforms to ASTM D3487 Type II. The unit can source voltages up to 100 kV with minimum ramp rate of 500 V/s. Samples must be thin and flat with parallel faces. When using the Type 2 electrodes, the specimen must be at least 2” in diameter. Each specimen must also be thin enough to fail within the maximum range of the unit, which usually corresponds to 2 mm or less thickness for the most highly insulating specimens.

ASTM D3755

 

 

For more information about our testing and characterization lab services, contact us today.

 

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