Characterising raw materials through processing to final product and shelf life are challenges for all of us working in engineering and the materials sciences. For example, reproducible polymers through to correct moulding temperatures are vital to give a finished product with the correct thermal and mechanical stability for the end application whether as part of an aircraft or a plastic bag to carry groceries home from the supermarket.
Linkam have been developing solutions for materials characterisation to help push the boundaries of science for over 30 years. These are used in many industries and universities around the world to aid in the evaluation of materials from polymers to biological tissue.
For example, understanding the micro and thermomechanical properties of materials is increasingly important. Existing materials are being deployed in new environments and exotic new materials are being developed to meet ever higher demands. These include materials such as carbon fibre and graphene which are now becoming established materials for high end applications from bike frames, cars and even aircraft wings. New materials are being developed to replace or support human body parts such as artificial hips and artificial corneas. It is vital that the physical properties of these materials are well characterised and any failure modes understood.
The Linkam TST350 tensile stage allows the structural dynamics of sample materials to be observed and imaged while under defined temperature and tensile profiles. The temperature can be accurately controlled up to 350 OC with 0.01°C control and up to 60°C/min heating rates. The temperature range can be extended down to -196 OC with the addition of liquid nitrogen cooling option. Tensile forces up to 200N can be applied and measured making it ideal for a wide range of materials.
Thermal analysis is a technique well-known in QA and R&D laboratories to evaluate and develop new materials for different applications. Linkam’s latest thermal stage combines the universally accepted technique of DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) with optical microscopy and imaging techniques to provide rapid, comprehensive materials information which directly relates to reproducibility from raw material to in-use application of the finished product. Check out the DSC450 with options such as TASC and combining with various other analytical techniques such as including IR and Raman spectroscopy.
There are many other products from Linkam that offer materials characterisation as a function of temperature. Check out the full range here.
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