Services
Materials Characterization and Processing Center
A core component of our mission is to provide public service testing on a fee basis for Industry. Our center is committed to thoughtful problem-solving and analysis, a direct result of our in-depth technical experience and extensive knowledge gained, in part, via collaborations with faculty and industry partners. We are especially skilled at establishing non-routine, unique protocols to assist with a variety of needs, including troubleshooting, defect analysis, proof of concept, and pilot-scale testing and analysis.
Core Capabilities
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Chemical Analyses
- Determine chemical ‘makeup’ of materials
- Deconstruction of blends of materials by physical and chemical separation techniques
- FTIR spectroscopy
- Gas chromatography (GC) and GEL Permeation Chromatography (GPC)
- Accelerated Solvent Extractions (ASE)
- Optical microscopes (including hot stage microscope)
- Standard color viewing arrangements (lightboxes)
- Reflective color measurement systems for visual and numerical color characterization
- Absorbance of liquids in the visible range (to include ultra-violet and near-infrared absorbance/transmission properties of liquids/solutions using UV-Vis NIR spectroscopy)
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Advanced Imaging of Materials
- Scanning electron microscopy
- Advanced 3D X-ray microscopy and micro-computed tomography (microCT) that non-destructively image the internal microstructure of materials, electronics, and biological specimens
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Additive Manufacturing/Prototyping
- Polymer fused deposition modeling (FDM) Bambu X1C printer
- Lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM)
- Powder bed fusion (PBF) metal manufacturing
- Composite filament making for additive manufacturing
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ECE Clean Room Services and Processes
- Wet & dry chemical cleaning and etching
- Plasma etching
- ALD & E-beam deposited dielectrics & metals
- I-Line photolithography
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Thermal Analysis and Tensile Properties
- Determining key material properties such as:
- Degree of crystallinity
- Glass transition temperature
- Melting point range
- Degradation temperature
- Enthalpy of formation measurements via melt solution calorimetry
- Generate Stress/strain data
- Analyze data to determine tensile strength, elongation at break and tensile modules
- Instron testing with load cell capacities from 10 grams to 22,000 lbs
- Abrasion testing equipment
- Substrate porosity determination for all porous materials, including non-wovens and textiles
- Generate data such as mean pore size, pore size distribution, largest pore size and air the flux/permeability through materials being tested
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- Thermal diffusivity and conductivity measurements up to 1200 C
- Nano mechanical properties testing using nano indenter with force up to 1N
- Determining key material properties such as:
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Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition Lathe
- Production of unique glass pre-form
- Recipe-based control of process variables
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Optical Fiber Draw Tower Services
- Wide range of temperatures and sizes
- Soft glass and polymer
- Particulate free and accurate specifications
Service Testing
As a department, we are able to offer the services of our Materials Characterization and Processing Center, which provides analytical and physical testing, manufacturing, fiber extrusion, and processing support and services. Please view our billing rates and equipment list for more details on commodities, services, and appropriate contacts.
---------Physical Testing
Jae Lowe
Phone: (864) 656-5972
Fax: (864) 656-5973
Email: Jaelowe@clemson.edu
Analytical Testing
Kim Ivey
(864) 656-5968
Fax: (864) 656-5973
Email: ikimber@clemson.edu
Department Equipment List
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Sample Preparation
Carver Laboratory Press Model B with 6" platens - Sample press, composites, sample preparation
Carver Laboratory Press Model C with 6" heated platens - Sample press, composites, sample preparation
Buehler Ecomet 5 Two-speed grinder-polisher - Sample grinding, polishing
Buehler Automet 2 powerhear - Ecomet 5 control
Dionex ASE 200 Accelerated Solvent Extractor - Extraction, fiber finish qualification, sample prep
Taber Abrader Model 503 - Abrasion testing, textiles
Wyzenbeek Abrader - Abrasion testing, textiles
Simpliment 4000 - Automated Mettollography sample mounting press
Automet 250 - Semi-automated metollography sample grinding and polishing
One Tier Rotary Jar Mill - Alumina grinding media
Vertical High Energy Planetary Ball Mill - Alumnia and Zirconia grinding media
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Balances
Sartorius Microbalance Model M2P - Mass determination, sample preparation
Mettler Toledo ME30 Microbalance - Mass determination, sample preparation
Sartorius Semi-Micro Analytical 6-place balance model LE 26D - Mass determination, sample preparation
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Rheology and Viscosity
Anton Paar MCR 302e Rheometer
Brookfield Amtek Dv2Plus Viscometer
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Thermal Analysis
TA Instruments Q400 TMA - Thermal mechanical analysis
TA Instruments Q5000 TGA - Thermo-gravimetric analysis
TA Instruments Q800 DMA - Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Fiber/Film Tension Clamp, Dual/Single cantilever
TA Instruments TGA 2950 - Thermo-gravimetric analysis
TA Instruments MDSC 2920 - - Thermal Analysis, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, modulated DSC
TA Instruments Q1000 MDSC Thermal Analysis, Differential Scanning Calorimetry
TA Instruments SDT 650 - Simultaneous DSC and TGA (high temperature up to 1500 C)
TA Instruments DLF-RM-1200 - Laser flash thermal diffusivity up to 1200C
TA Instruments DIL 822 Vertical Dilatometer - Coefficient of thermal ezpansion and sintering studies
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UV/VIS Spectroscopy
Shimadzu 3600 UV/Vis NIR - Ultraviolet, visible and near infrared spectroscopy
ISR-3100 UV/Vis NIR integrating sphere accessory for UV 3600 - Ultraviolet, visible and near infrared spectroscopy
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Infrared Spectroscopy
Thermo Nicolet Magna 550 FTIR - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Thermo-Spectra Tech Nic-Plan FTIR microscope - Fourier Transform Micro-Infrared Spectroscopy
Thermo-SpectraTech Foundation Series Diamond ATR Accessory - Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy
Thermo 6700 FTIR Bench - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Thermo CONTINUUM FTIR Microscope - Fourier Transform Micro-Infrared Spectroscopy
Thermo- ORBIT ATR accessory with Diamond and Germanium plates - Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy
Pike Technologies VEEMAX II Grazing Angle Accessory for FTIR - Grazing Angle Infrared spectroscopy
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Separations/Chromatography
Waters APC System - GPC, polymer, molecular weight distribution
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Microscopy
Lawson-Hempill, Inc. DMT PPM-5R - Dynamic modulus tester
Instrument Color Systems multilight - LIGHTBOX - D65, A, CWF, UV lightbox
Pantone Color Viewing Lightbox - D65, cool white, flourescent lightbox
Meiji Techno RZ stereo microscope w/ ProgRes CapturePro software - Image analysis, stereomicroscopy
Circular Illuminator, blacklight - Sample illumination
Leitz Laborlux S compound microscope - Image analysis
CoolLED pE-100 illuminant for Leitz microscope - Sample illumination
Huvitz HRM-300 microscope with/ Panasis digital imaging software - High magnification imaging, 3D imaging and measurements, metallurgical
Lusis HC-20CU CCD camera - 2 MP color CCD high resolution camera
ausJena Jenapol Interphako interference microscope - Refractive index measurement
James Swift MP3502K microscope - Image analysis
Mettler Toledo FP82HT Hotstage - Visual examination of thermal transitions in sample, microscopy
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Physical Testing and Characterization
GretageMacbeth Color I 5 spectrophotometer - Color measurement, L*a*b* values, whiteness index
Instron Model 5582 - Tensile and compressive strength testing, 10 kN, 100 kN, 10 N load cells
Textest FX 3700 Elmendorf Tester - Tear strength testing
PMI CFP-1000-AEXS Capillary Flow Tester - Pore size measurement
A.A.T.C.C. CM-5 Crockmeter - Color transference, scuffing, abrasion, flexing, powdering, dry-cleaning, textile
XRD Unit- Scintag Inc, Serial: 40074 - X-ray, crystallography
KLA iMicro nano indenter - Forces up to 1N
MSE Pro Universal Hardness Tester
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Additive Manufacturing/Prototyping
Bambu X1C Polymer 3D Printer
Lithoz Cerafab 6500 Ceramic 3D Printer
Xact Metal XM 200G Stainless steel metal 3d printer
Filabot Filament maker assembly
Ernst Benz Calendaring Machine
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Advanced Imaging
Zeiss Xradia Versa 615 x-ray microscope - Micro CT - 3D tomography with down to 500nm resolution
JOEL Tabletop SEM
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Furnaces
Lindberg Heavy Duti - Type: 59744 Serial: 10853
Lindberg Heavy Duti - Model: CC58125C Serial: UOSE-211167-UE
Lindberg - Type: 54233 Serial: 721024Lindberg Heavy Duti - Type: 54253 Serial: 7831
Lindberg - Type: 51442 Serial:879102
Thermodyne Over Series 9000 - Model: OV47335 Serial: 671990163682
Thermodyne Over Series 9000 - Model: OV47335 Serial: 671930574328
Lindberg - Type: 51333 Serial:12878
Lindberg - Model: STF54453C Serial: TIIL-533879-TL
Applied Test Systems, Inc - Serial: 9361A
Lindberg - Type: 54032-A Serial:114644
Lindberg - Type: 54314 Serial: 909199
Lindberg - Type: 51314 Serial: 848026
KH Huppert Co - Serial: 101 Type: SP
Thermcraft Inc - Model: FCR-10-0-10-1C-J53007/6A Serial: 005307/6A</p
Thermcraft Inc - Model: FCR-10-0-10-1C-J53007/6B Serial: 005307/6B
Thermcraft Inc - Model: FCR-10-0-10-1C-J53007/6C Serial: 005307/6C
Lindberg Blue - Type: HTF55347C Serial: T12L-534116-TL
Lindberg Blue - Type: STF-54453C Serial: T11L-533880-TL Tube Furnace
Lindberg - Type: 51333 Serial: 899116
Lindberg - Model: S51644 Serial:919162
Pereco - Model: 2600-112
Thermcraft Inc - Model: FBM-24-24-30-1F-J5307/1A Serial: 005307/1A
