The National Composite Center provides member companies with a Materials Testing Laboratory equipped to meet mechanical, optical and thermal composite testing needs. NCC’s competitive pricing allows members to conduct preliminary evaluation of new materials and designs prior to substantial investment in certified testing.
Hydraulic Test Machine
Loads up to 100,000 lbs
Elevated temperature option
Extensometer and custom fixtures including short beam shear available
Tests performed include:
Tensile, Flexural, Compressive, Shear
Large Scale Test Machine
Accommodates parts up to 16’ x 54”
150,000 lb hydraulic actuator
Fatigue, static and creep testing
Progressive durability analysis
LVDT monitors displacement within 0.010”
Thermal Analysis
NCC houses state-of-the-art thermal testing equipment from TA Instruments, including dynamic mechanical, thermomechanical and thermogravimetric analyzers.
DMA, TMA and TGA equipment can be used to characterize:
Thermal stability
Induction period
Thermal decomposition kinetics
Moisture or solvent content
Coefficient of linear expansion
Glass transition temperature
Softening point
Relative stiffness over range of temperatures
Phase separation
Optical Analysis
NCC’s optical microscope can be used for failure mode analysis and processing quality evaluation. Capabilities include general analysis, particle size verification, void content evaluation and volume fraction determination as well as services such as specimen mounting and polishing.
Other Laboratory Capabilities and Equipment Include:
Chemical Reactivity Testing
Gel time/temperature determination
Industrial size ovens
Viscometers
Constant Temperature Baths
UV lamps
Polisher for abrasive coating analysis
Special Test Requests
NCC’s extensive experience in development and implementation of innovative test methods and custom fixture design allows the Center to support requests for tests that do not conform to standardized methods.
For more information, contact Jessica Ravine at jravine@compositecenter.org.