Laboratories
Polymer and fiber research laboratories include composites, polymer processing including injection molding, fiber extrusion, nonwovens and other engineered fibrous structures, polymers, analytical testing, coloration and finishing. The laboratories are used for student labs and available to industry for contract testing and joint research projects.
Composites
Polymer and fiber engineering's effort in composites emphasizes fibrous structures for reinforcement of polymer composites. Several braiding machines, resin transfer molding machine, chop gun, infrared curing, vacuum bagging, and other equipment are available. Polishing and imaging equipment are available for analysis of composite morphology to verify computer predictions of performance.
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Polymer Processing
Machinery for extrusion, compression molding and injection molding to produce a variety of fibers, films, polymeric parts and composites.
Compression Molding
Wabash Compression molding machine, 30 ton for production of polymeric and composites parts
Injection Molding
Three injection molding machines are available in a newly established lab for the polymer engineering program. The Battenfeld EM 50/300 electric injection molding machine is new with water and oil temperature controller. It is a computer controlled machine with 30 mm screw diameter, 13 mm nozzle radius and 56 tons capacity. The other two injection molding machines (Fu Chin Shin KT-75G) were donated by ThermoFisher Scientific of Auburn, AL. A new oven is purchased for cleaning the molds.
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Fiber Extrusion
Research scale equipment is available for all types of melt extrusion and solution spinning of fibers. A complete manufacturing line consists of melt extrusion equipment for thermoplastic polymers with draw winding. Two lab scale solution spinning lines are available, one capable of producing fibers from very small (less than one gram) amounts of polymer.
A new film/monofilament/multifilament heavy duty floor model production extrusion machine has been ordered (Wayne "Yellow Jacket", 25 mm screw diameter, vented)
Research is currently funded for formation of fibers from renewable resources.
Nonwovens
A complete laboratory for creating batts and webs for nonwoven fabric formation includes a Rando Model "C" for air laid webs, a roller top card and cross lapper, a through-air oven for thermal bonding, needle punching equipment, a heated calendar, and thermal conductivity measurement capability. The lab is well suited to handling special fibers such as carbon and ceramic and was recently funded by DOD to design carbon fiber blends for specific radar absorption properties.
High Performance Fibrous Materials Lab
- 10,000 kN Instron for material testing with heating/cooling chamber
- Instron Dynatub Impact tester for impact resistance
- Air-jet weaving machine simulator
- Patented hybrid 3D weaving/knitting machine for preform manufacturing
Analytical and Testing Capabilities
A full array of analytical testing facilities for polymers and fibers complements the engineering facilities. Key equipment includes
- TA Instruments Q2000 Modulated
- Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)
- TA Instruments Q500
- Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA)
- TA Instruments RSAIII Dynamical Mechanical Analyzer (DMA)
- TA Instruments AR G2 and
- HAAKE Rheo Stress Rheometer
- Nicolet 6700 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) System with NXR FT-Raman Module
- Veeco Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)
- Dynamic Contact Angle Analyzer
- Reverse Chromatography Spectrophotometer
- CS-5 Chroma Sensor by Datacolor for color analysis and color matching
- INSTRON Universal Testing Machines
- INSTRON Impact Tester
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For fiber testing
- Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) measures individual fiber lengths and diameters, naps, and trash from a small sample of staple fiber
- Uster MCI high volume instrument measures average cotton fiber properties such as micronaire, length, uniformity, strength, elongation, Rd, +b, trash, and color
- Uster Tensorapid III measures strength uniformity of yarns, testing from a package at five breaks/minute
Coloration and Finishing Laboratory
- programmable Mathis Lab Jumbo Dyeing Jet JFO,
- Birch Brothers lab padder with pressure adjustable nip rollers,
- small-scale beaker dyer with IR heating (Mathis),
- Ahiba dyeing machine
- automated Mathis curing oven
- Fusion Systems UV curing equipment for photopolymerization reactions,
- Labconco freeze dryer,
- Lab-Line Orbit Environ-Shaker and
- several Precion Reciprocal Shaking baths,
- IEC Centra MP4 centrifuge (International Equipment Company),
- commercial household washer and dryer, and an
- Atlas Launder-ometer with variable rotational speed.
Fabric Formation
Machinery for braiding and weaving contribute to the design and formation of fabrics for reinforcing composites and other industrial applications.
