MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION
Variable Environment Thermomechanical Testing Machine
We have a Variable Environment Thermomechanical Testing Machine in our lab to perform mechanical testing of the samples. It can control the temperature and air pressure of the testing chamber to measure fatigue and tensile properties of materials at high temperatures under a vacuum. We also have set up to run corrosion fatigue experiments using this machine. It is capable of performing experiments at temperatures up to 1200 oC and loads up to 10 KN in vacuum (10-8 torr), inert gas, or air environments.
Lever-Arm Creep Testers
We have five ATS Lever-Arm Creep Testers for both ceramics and metals to measure creep properties. The machines can calculate the tendency of a solid material to move slowly or deform permanently under the influence of persistent mechanical stresses at different temperatures known as Creep. It occurs as a result of long-term exposure to high levels of stress that are still below the yield strength of the material. Creep measurement is significant for materials that are subjected to heat for long periods and generally increases as they near their melting point.
In-Situ CHARACTERIZATION
Boehlert group is well known at MSU for the In-Situ characterization of materials. A specially-designed specimen is used along with an Ernest Fullam Tensile Stage to perform tensile, creep, and fatigue experiments at temperatures up to 760 oC and loads up to 1000 lbs. EBSD orientation maps can be performed both before and after creep deformation as well as during the creep deformation experiment.
6mm diameter W-based heater is located just below the gage section of the sample. Fine-gage type-K TC monitors the temperature and SEM micrographs are captured using secondary electron or backscattered electron mode within the heated section during creep.
POLISHING EQUIPMENT
We have a sample mounting machine, two manual polishing machines, one Struers automated polisher, one ultrasonic cleaner to clean the polished samples, and a desiccator to protect the samples against oxidation and corrosion.
MISCELLANEOUS
We also have an optical microscope to observe the samples during different polishing stages, a Thermolyne 46200 elevated-temperature furnace, a tube furnace, a spot welder, a driller, several thermocouples, and a sample cutter in our lab.
COMMON CAMPUS FACILITIES
As part of the CHEMS department at MSU, we have access to multiple research centers on campus.
MEMBER EQUIPMENT LOGBOOK
Scopes: These equipment are available to anyone from across campus and from outside the MSU community for testing or characterization such as metallography, microscopy, in-situ mechanical behavior testing inside a scanning electron microscope, creep testing, fatigue testing, corrosion fatigue testing, fatigue crack growth testing, tensile testing, compression testing, fracture toughness testing, etc. If anyone is interested in this, they should send an email to Dr. Boehlert (boehlert@egr.msu.edu) to set up a testing agreement.
