Polymeric Materials Characterization Laboratory

The Polymeric Materials Characterization Laboratory is available as a testing service to academic, government, and industry customers looking for high-quality materials characterization data. We can provide the following types of material characterization services, including data interpretation and analysis as needed:

• Thermal analysis (TGA, TMA, DSC, TGA-MS)
• Mechanical / physical property analysis (DMA, TMA, rheology)
• Chemical analysis (FTIR, UV/Vis, TGA-MS)

Please contact Alexander Morgan with your questions about our polymer material testing capabilities.

Instrument Capabilities

	Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA) Model: TA Instruments 2940 and Q400 Temperature range:  -150 °C to 1000 °C Sensitivity: 15 nm Force range: 0.001 to 1 N Atmospheres available: nitrogen, argon, air Sample types: Solid pieces or thin films
	Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) Model: TA Instruments Q800 Maximum force: 18 N Minimum force: 0.0001 N Force resolution: 0.00001 N Strain resolution: 1 nm Modulus range: 103 to 3x1012 Pa Frequency range: 0.01 to 200 Hz Temperature range: -150 °C to 600 °C Heating rate: 0.1 to 20 °C Deformation modes available:  3-point bend, dual & single cantilever, thin film, parallel plate
	Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) Model: TA Instruments Q1000 Has autosampler (not shown) for high throughput Temperature range: -50 °C to 550 °C Heating rates: 0.1 to 200 °C/min Calorimetric precision: +/- 1% Sensitivity: 0.2 μW Can handle a wide range of materials.  Hermetically sealed pans and open pan experiments under nitrogen or air can be accomplished.
	Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) TA Instruments Q5000 IR Autosampler with high throughput Temperature range: room temperature to 1200 °C Linear heating rates of 0.1 to 500 °C/min Sensitivity: 0.1 μg Max sample weight: 100 mg Capable of handling hermetically sealed pans for low temperature volatile content analysis Atmospheres available: nitrogen, argon, air
	TA Instruments AR2000 Rheometer Temperature range: -150 °C to 600 °C Frequency sweep: 0.01 to 100 Hz Parallel plate or cone (2° or 4°) and plate rheometry possible Modes available: flow, oscillation, creep, stress/relaxation. Multiple experimental parameters available in each mode.
	Nicolet 4700 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer Wavelength range: 400 to 4000 cm-1 Capable of measuring solid, liquid, and gas samples.  Existing accessories:  Germanium ATR (for carbon black / carbon nanofiber filled samples) Diamond ATR (unheated and heated – hot stage up to 200 °C) Modular design, capable of holding many different sample geometries and cells. Can be interfaced with other instruments and upgraded depending upon research needs.
	Nicolet Evolution 600 Ultraviolet/Visible Wavelength Spectrometer Wavelength range: 190 to 900 nm Can handle solids and liquids in transmission mode. Can handle solids in diffuse reflection mode.

ThermoCahn TherMax 700 Thermogravimetric Analyzer – Mass Spectrometer Temperature range:  room temperature to 1700 °C. Sample size:  0.1 to 100 g Multiple atmospheres available: instrument has gas switching unit to handle up to four different gases, including helium, argon, nitrogen, and air.  Simultaneous mass spectrometry (direct probe) available which measures mass units from 1 to 300.