Testing Services

The Composite Materials and Structures Center (CMSC) offers testing services to investigate the material properties and performance characteristics of composite materials and their constituents. Although CMSC is not a certified laboratory, tests are typically conducted in general compliance with ASTM protocols. Tests are performed by staff technologists that have expertise in strength of materials, thermal analysis, rheology, surface science, electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and adhesion testing. Be sure to review the list of Equipment to determine if we can be of assistance in characterizing your materials. 

CMSC has an extensive line of polymer and composite processing equipment that is available for use on a rental basis. For example, mini-extruders can be rented for blending small batches in order to evaluate the performance of new materials. Experienced staff technologists operate the equipment with the client in attendance to guide the operations. Work is done on a confidential basis, with the client having full ownership of the materials. Please contact Mike Rich at 517-353-4696 to discuss your testing or processing needs.  Be sure to visit the Facilities and Equipment gallery to review the processing and testing equipment at CMSC. The following list provides a general summary of the various tests that are available at CMSC. Please contact Mike Rich at 517/353-4696 or rich@egr.msu.edu for a discussion of your testing needs.

• D-3039 ASTM D3039 / D3039M - 08 Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite MaterialsD-2290
• D-638 ASTM D3039 / D3039M - 08 Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials
• D-2290 ASTM D2290 - 08 Standard Test Method for Apparent Hoop Tensile Strength of Plastic or Reinforced Plastic Pipe by Split Disk Method
• D-3379 ASTM D3379-75(1989)e1 Standard Test Method for Tensile Strength and Young's Modulus for High-Modulus Single-Filament Materials (Withdrawn 1998)
• D-882 ASTM D882 - 09 Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
• D3916 ASTM D3916 - 08 Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Pultruded Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Rod
• D3410 ASTM D3410 / D3410M - 03(2008) Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials with Unsupported Gage Section by Shear Loading
• D-3518 ASTM D3518 / D3518M - 94(2007) Standard Test Method for In-Plane Shear Response of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials by Tensile Test of a ±45° Laminate
• D-3846 ASTM D3846 - 08 Standard Test Method for In-Plane Shear Strength of Reinforced Plastics
• D 5379 ASTM D5379 / D5379M - 05 Standard Test Method for Shear Properties of Composite Materials by the V-Notched Beam Method
• D-790 ASTM D790 - 07 Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
• D-256 - 061 Standard Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics

• D-4812 ASTM D4812 - 06 Standard Test Method for Unnotched Cantilever Beam Impact Resistance of Plastics
• ASTM D5420 - 04 Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Flat, Rigid Plastic Specimen by Means of a Striker Impacted by a Falling Weight (Gardner Impact)
• ASTM D5628 - 07 Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Flat, Rigid Plastic Specimens by Means of a Falling Dart (Tup or Falling Mass)
• D-2734 ASTM D2734 - 09 Standard Test Method for Void Content of Reinforced Plastics
• D-792 ASTM D792 - 08 Standard Test Method for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
• ASTM E831 - 06 Standard Test Method for Linear Thermal Expansion of Solid Materials by Thermomechanical Analysis D-4591
• ASTM D3418 - 08 Standard Test Method for Transition Temperatures and Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by Differential Scanning Calorimetry D-2393
• D-4065 ASTM D4065 - 06 Standard Practice for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: Determination and Report of Procedures
• D4440 Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties Melt Rheology
• D5023 Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: In Flexure (Three-Point Bending)
• D5024 Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: In Compression
• D5026 Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: In Tension
• D5279 Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: In Torsion
• D5418 Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: In Flexure (Dual Cantilever Beam)
• D-3795 ASTM D3795 - 00a(2006) Standard Test Method for Thermal Flow, Cure, and Behavior Properties of Pourable Thermosetting Materials by Torque Rheometer
• D-4473 ASTM D4473 - 08 Standard Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: Cure Behavior
• D-1434 ASTM D1434 - 82(2009)e1 Standard Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability Characteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting
• ASTM E2550 - 07 Standard Test Method for Thermal Stability by Thermogravimetry