Facilities and Resources
Center for Advanced Materials (CAM) shelters variety of interdisciplinary research on materials science and engineering and has a longstanding tradition of partnering with industry. CAM facilities for research and service support are essential to our mission and offer access to advanced equipments and numerous services as well as participation in development of new technology or applications of existing methods. CAM provides and offers to our academic, research and industrial partners scientific services and training on equipment facilities and instruments based on specified testing:
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM): (MFP 3D- Asylum Research)
A unique heavy duty tribometer R-tec that can go up to 5000N force/load with temperature range up to 800 °C is available in CAM. Floor standing with easy to interchange various modules, close loop down force control makes this tribometer a power tool for determination of friction coefficients on traditional industries such as coating, oil, lubricant etc.
(Nano) Particle Size Analysis and Particles and Surface Zeta Potential (Zetasizer Nano ZSP, Malvern)
CAM holds Zetasizer Nano ZS instrument and it is utilized for the measurement of the size, electrophoretic mobility of colloidal and protein solution , zeta potential of colloids and nanoparticles, the measurement of nanoparticles mobility and microrheology of protein and polymer solutions. The high performance of the Zetasizer Nano ZS also enables the measurement of the molecular weight and second virial coefficient, A2, of macromolecules and kD, the DLS interaction parameter. An electric field is applied to a solution of molecules or a dispersion of particles, which then move with a velocity related to their zeta potential. Measurement of surface zeta potential can be conducted by using tracer particles to measure electro-osmosis close to a sample surface to calculate the zeta potential of the surface.
Profilometer (Leica DCM8)
Confocal profilometer Leica DCM8 provides non-destructive three-dimensional surface profiling. Profilometry is complementary method for other testing methods in our Center as coating, tribology, wearing abrasion or erosion tests. The instrument is a high definition confocal microscopy for surfaces that are made up of intricate structures with highly sloping areas demand lateral resolution of a few microns due to its ability to operate as an optical microscope with brightfield, darkfield and confocal, as well as optional interferometric mode. Moreover, the Leica DCM8 is an ideal instrument for accurate color documentation of samples. A wide choice of high-quality Leica objectives on magnitude from 5 to 100 x together with four LED light sources – blue (460 nm), green (530 nm), red (630 nm), and white (centered 550 nm) – and an integrated CCD camera offer true-to-life color 2D and 3D images.
Microscopy Units: (Benchtop SEM- JCM 6000 - Jeol, Leica DM Inverted Research Metallurgical Microscope, Kruss - MSZ 5600, Kruss - MMB 2300, Zeiss - Axio Scope A1)
Microstructure and macrostructure imaging of sample with transmission or reflection modes offer valuable information on metallurgical, biological and geological samples. Samples can be magnifying up to 1000x and processing in the optical analyzer and application of light polarization provide also respected data from performance by optical microscopes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-bench top Jeol) is capable to magnify sample up to 60,000 x.
Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES, ARL 3460 Metal Analyzer, Thermo Scientific)
Optical Emission Spectroscopy or Spark Emission Spectroscopy is an important tool for fast and accurate elemental analysis of metals and alloys. ARL 3460 Metal Analyzer (Thermo Scientific) at CAM is a simultaneous Quantometer which measures the intensity if several spectral lines ranging from 150nm to 800nm simultaneously which allow us to determine the concentration of each element in sample. CAM is accredited for technical competence for Chemical Analysis of Metals (ASTM E 415) in accordance with the recognized International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005 - General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories by A2LA (American Association of Laboratory Accreditation).
X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF, JSX 3201M, Jeol)
XRF spectroscopy JSX 3201M (Jeol) is widely used for the qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis of environmental, geological, biological, industrial and other types of samples. It also provides fairly uniform detection limit across a large portion of the elements of the periodic table, generally restricted to elements heavier than sodium and is applicable to a wide range concentrations from a 100% to few parts per million
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR): (Picospin 45 – Thermo Scientific)
Picospin Thermofisher 45 can determine the structure of small compound and polymers by chemical shift in spectra for proton atoms in molecule. It can be a very selective technique, distinguishing among many different atoms within a molecule or collection of molecules of the same type but which differ only in terms of their local chemical environment.
Dynamic mechanical analyzer: (DMA/RSA G2 / TA Instruments)
RSA-G2 from TA is state-of-art technology for dynamical testing in dynamic and precise stress control over frequency, time and temperature. The instrument might operate over a wide temperature range from -150 to 600 °C with maximal force 35 kN and maximal frequency 100 Hz. Data provides information on multiple modes of deformation including dual/single cantilever and 3-point bending, tension, compression, and shear. It offers the ultimate in performance, versatility, and ease-of-use. Ultra-sensitive optical encoder technology provides information about strain and air bearing technology insures virtually friction-free movement.
Tensile test: (LR 50K Plus – Lloyd Instruments)
Lloyd LR 50K Plus and Lloyd LS 1K Plus Tensile instruments offer broad range testing on tensile tests at CAM. The main principle of the tensile test is the resistance of a material to a tensile load applied axially to a specimen. In a simple tensile test the operation is accomplished by gripping opposite ends of the piece of material and pulling it apart. Observations of applied force for appropriate elongation are recorded during the test. Stresses, strains, % elongation, % reduction of area are all computed on the basis of the original dimensions. A stress-strain diagram is then plotted and the information obtained from this diagram allows the comparison of the appropriate mechanical properties of different materials with one another. The CAM is accredited for the following Mechanical Testing Methods: Tensile Testing of metals & alloys and plastics- ASTM - E8, D 6-38
Slow strain rate testing (SSRT- Cortest- National Insturments):
SSRT, a tensile specimen is subjected to a steadily increasing stress in a given testing environment. This procedure results in rupture of surface films and thus tends to eliminate initiation time required for surface crack to form. The test is continued till the specimen fails, the ductility and strength parameters coupled with surface morphology of the fracture provide information about the mode of failure and influence of environment as corrosion, water, gasses or pressure. At CAM SSRT instruments (National Inst.UK) conducted to autoclave cell is stated.
Hardness testing: (Hardness Tester CLC 200R - Clark, Vickers Microhardness Tester FM ARS 9000- Future Tech)
Measurement of hardness provides a very useful non-destructive method for checking and determination on the nominal strength of a material and it is therefore also useful for checking on the quality of various metallurgical treatments, for example heat treatment, cold working. A hard indenter (Proceq Sa Equostat and Clark Rockwell) is pressed into the specimen by a standard load with A,B,C scale with load up to 150 kg and the magnitude of the indentation (either area or depth) is taken as a measure of hardness. The CAM is accredited for the following Mechanical Testing Methods. Test methods: Hardness Testing of metals & alloys - ASTM - E18. Automated microhardness ARS 9000 Future tech. for Vicker hardness and microhardness determination for load from 5 g up to 2000 g is also available.
Compression test: (LR 50K Plus – Lloyd Instruments)
A compression test determines behavior of materials under crushing loads. The specimen is compressed and deformation at various loads is recorded. Compressive stress and strain are calculated and plotted as a stress-strain diagram which is used to determine elastic limit, proportional limit, yield point, yield strength. This method is performed for concrete, metals, plastics, ceramics, composites, corrugated cardboard and even to soft materials as hydrogels. Lloyd LR 50K Plus and Lloyd LS 1K Plus instruments and concrete compression tester (Fore) offer broad range testing on compression tests at CAM.
Differential scanning calorimetry: (DSC 8500 - Perkin Elmer)
The differential scanning calorimetry is a fundamental tool in thermal analysis. It looks at how a material’s heat capacity is changed by temperature. By DSC 8500 (Perkin Elmer) sample of known mass is heated or cooled and the changes in its heat capacity are tracked as changes in the heat flow. The information these instruments generate is used to understand amorphous and crystalline behavior, polymorph and eutectic transitions, curing and degree of cure, and many other material properties used to design, manufacture and test products.
Thermal conductivity: (TPS 2500s – HotDisk)
Heat flow meter instruments measures the steady-state heat transfer through flat materials and determinate of thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity of solids, liquids, powders, pastes, foams as well as laminates and with the special TPS sensors it becomes possible to measure samples with a conductivity as low as 0.005 W/(mK) and as high as 1200 W/(mK) with high sensitivity in a wide range of temperatures up to 700 °C and in many different environments. Thermocouples embedded in the plates measure the temperature drop across the specimen and HFMs embedded in each plate measure the heat flow through the specimen.
Melt flow index (MFI): (LMI - 4000 Qualitest)
MFI measures of the capability of flow of the melt of a thermoplastic polymer and composites. MFI is an indirect measure of molecular weight and inversely proportional to viscosity of the material at the testing conditions. MFI is very comfort method for polyolefins, polyethylene being measured at 190°C and polypropylene at 230°C and can refer also information about molecular weight distribution. Qualitest MFI is automatic and controllable melt flow indexer at CAM and accredited for. D1238 method Density meter for density of polymers is also available.
Broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS - Novocontrol):
Electrical permittivity ε*(ω), conductivtiy σ*(ω) and permeability μ*(ω) spectra are fundamental material parameters and all they can be accurately and automatically determined by broad dielectric spectrometry Novocontrol from some mHz up to several GHz (15 decades) for nearly all kind of materials. Sample preparation requires only little effort. As the models may include results from other material characterization methods, a link between the several techniques can be established in order to get more general information in temperature range from -150 °C up to 200 °C.
Electrochemistry: (Gamry Ref 600 Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA, Ref 30K Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA, RDE 710 Rotary Electrode)
Accommodated Gamry electrochemical set ups allow range electrochemical processes and analysis and performance. Bipotentiostat set up, EIS, Cyclic voltamperometry (CV) characterization offer methods to protect the structure by using galvanic anodes which have a higher energy level or potential with respect to the structure to be protected or to control the corrosion of a metal surface by making it work as a cathode of an electrochemical cell. Bipotentiostat unit Gamry with Gamry 3000 and 600 and perform with current up to 3 A and can be boosted to 30 V.
UV-electrochemical spectrometry-ALS-UV-2000: (SEC 2000- UV/VIS Spectrometer- ALS)
Provide information about UV spectrum of solution from 200 to 900 nm.
TGA FTIR set up (FT-IR Spectrometer Frontier/ TGA 4000 – Perkin Elmer):
TGA- FTIR is unique system at QU to online monitoring material thermal decomposition. TGA-FTIR set up from Perkin Elmer combines Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) with an Infrared Spectrometer (FT IR) based on knowledge about the most common type of Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) system. During the analysis a sample on the TGA is heated and releases volatile materials or generates combustion components as it burns. Evolved gases are then transferred to your IR cell, where the components can be identified according library. Moreover, TGA and FTIR can also provide data separated and allow flexibility of measurement in range for TGA form 25 up to 1100 °C and for FTIR from 350 up to 7800 cm-1.
Nondestructive Testing NDT (AIR 1550, LUKS-1550 systems - IOS):
Nondestructive Testing is the determination of a specimen's quality without impairing its intended application. The field of NDT is a very broad, interdisciplinary that plays a critical role in assuring that structural components and systems perform their function in a reliable and cost effective fashion. Laser-Ultrasonic is an advanced NDT technique using laser, it is becoming popular and gaining grounds for different applications in the industry. In laser-ultrasonic, the source of ultrasound is located at the surface of the material and detection of ultrasonic motion is performed of the same surface, which eliminates the normal incidence requirement of conventional piezoelectric-based ultrasonic and allows easy inspection of complex shapes. CAM is the focal point for many industrial research projects that require Innovative Non-contact laser Inspection System in Qatar. There are a wide variety of NDT resources available at CAM ranging from Dye penetrant inspection (Liquid penetrant), Magnetic Particles Inspection and Ultrasonic flaw detection to the sophisticated range of laser Ablation Ultrasonic Equipment. Penetrant testing is a surface-examination that can be carried out on all non-porous materials. Magnetic testing makes it possible to identify flaws on and directly below the surface. This can only be done in magnetisable grades of steel. Ultrasonic testing enables faults deep in the material to be detected in materials such as steel over their whole thickness, without having to carry out destructive tests.
Weathering testing (Ascott 5450t & QUV/se – Q Lab):
Salt Spray Cabinet (Ascott 5450T), accelerated weather tester (Q-lab-QUV) and autoclave serve as primary equipment for simulation of different environment to perform of the testing. Environment and weathering influence are tested deeply at CAM and provide information on degradability, aging and stability of materials. Intensity of light, effect of water, sea water, salts and environment systems are simulated by pressurized spray and condensation systems and degradation effects of light are simulated by fluorescent UV lamps. The exposure temperature is automatically controlled by apparatus and is programmable.
Wet chemistry facilities
Wet chemistry facilities serve for practical and synthetic part of preparations and modifications of polymers, surfaces and other materials. These facilities contain several fume hoods with stirring abilities and instruments as rotary evaporator, vacuum oven, furnaces, centrifuge, UV-laps, ultrasonic generator and baths.
Glove box
Glove box with inert and dry atmosphere as single station units is the highest quality for chemistry isolation techniques. The individually controlled chamber is suitable for semiconductor, nanomaterial and air-sensitive materials and research applications
Plasma treatment facilities
Plasma treatment facilities (CVE-L Softal Corona Plasma & PE 75 Plasma Etch Inc.) combine corona discharge from Softal with power up to 300 W and radiofrequency discharge plasma from Plasma etch with power up to 120 W for material treatment for cleaning and modification in air –corona plasma- or different atmosphere or vacuum –radiofrequency plasma.
Spin coating (WS 650-23 Spincoater- Laurell)
Spin coating (WS 650-23 Spincoater- Laurell) is widely used techniques to produce thin film layer by depositing a small drop of a fluid resin onto the center of a substrate and then spinning the substrate at high speed (typically more than 2000 rpm). CAM has advanced spin coater which can modulate spin speed and time, acceleration, inertness and exhausting. Final film properties can be modified on the nature of the resin (viscosity, drying rate, percent solids, surface tension, etc.) and the parameters chosen for the spin process.
Nanofiber electrospinning (NaBond) instrument
Nanofiber electrospinning (NaBond) instrument is at CAM stated for electrospinning nanofibre formation. Electrospinning is a technique in which polymer jet, which is charged is collected on a grounded collector or a rapidly rotating collector results in aligned nanofibers while stationary collectors result in randomly oriented fiber mats. The polymer jet is formed when an applied electrostatic charge overcomes the surface tension of the solution.
Twin Extruder (KETSE 20/40D - Brabender)
Twin Extruder (KETSE 20/40D - Brabender) is providing process to transfer row plastic material by melting and extrusion by plastic flow to continuous form dependent on die. This technique offer us to use waste polymer, to be recycled or composite preparation by filament formation and subsequently pelletization. Ketze 20/40 twin extruder is situated at CAM with bench mixer and pelletizer.
Brbender plastograph
Brbender plastograph (Plastograph EC & Mixer 50EHT – Brabender) preparation of relatively small volume of polymer blend or composites facilitates tuning and modulation of targeted and tailored properties of materials by means of the Brabender® Plastograph® EC. The Brabender® Plastograph® EC is bench top system for mixing and extrusion of polymers, blends and (nano)composites at different temperature range with continuous observation of torque in shearing. System possesses digital 3.8 kW motor, a torque measuring range of 200 Nm, and a speed range from 0.2 to 150 min-1 for volume up to 50 cm-3 of product.
Hot compression
Hot compression (Carver 3895) allows a forming process where a plastic material is placed directly into a preheated metal mold, afterwards is plasticized by the heat, and forced to form the shape of the mold. Automated hot plate Carver autofour/30-12 HC can be used at temperature up to 350°C with clamp force up to 30 tons to sample.
Injection molding
Injection molding carry out preparation of specimen by injecting material as glasses, elastomers, confections, and most commonly thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers into a mould. Rondo high force 12 injection molding conduct injection with maximum clamping force 150 kN.
Welding and sample preparation workshop
Welding and sample preparation workshop contains all manual gas welding equipment’s, e.g., SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and instruments for sample preparation and laser cutting, lathe machine, grinder, abraser, extruder and polisher. This workshop is devoted for practical training and research work.
