EQUIPMENT AND METHODS

Equipment and Methods

In the field of Smart Composites & Surfaces at our site in St. Veit/Glan, we have excellent analytical methods specialised in the characterisation of surfaces. This offer is rounded off by comprehensive laboratory and pilot plant equipment, as well as wet-chemical and climatic laboratory facilities. In addition, through the cooperation in our scientific and industrial network, there is access to further state-of-the-art infrastructure.

 

Material Characterisation

MICROSCOPIC METHODS

Microscopic analyses I AFM – fluorescence microscopy – reflected light and transmitted light microscopy – digital microscopy – laser scanning microscopy

Image analysis | 3D surface measurement – surface roughness, waviness, primary profiles

Preparation techniques I rotational and ultra-microtome – dyeing techniques – grinding and polishing techniques

 

SPECTROSCOPIC METHODS

MIR area I ATR/FTIR heat able– locally resolved – ad line – inline

NIR area I diffuse transmission – diffuse reflection – directional reflection – hyperspectral imaging

UVVIS area | diffuse transmission – diffuse reflection – directional reflection

Multivariate spectra analysis

 

THERMAL ANALYSES

DSC I specific heat capacity – crosslinking kinetics MFK

TGA with FTIR coupling I mass degradation incl. identification of gases – content, moisture or solvent – determination of thermal stability – oxidation stability – decomposition kinetics

TMA I thermal dimensional change – coefficient of expansion – swelling behaviour – glass transition temperature 

 

PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL ANALYSES

Mechanical analyses I tension – compression

Environmental simulation I fast weathering – outdoor weathering – climate testing

Rheologie I tensiometry

Contact angle | surface energy | surface tension

Dielectric analyses I cure kinetics

Surface testing of wood-based materials

Paper exams | formation analysis – penetration behavior – smoothness – gurley

Moisture measurement I water content measurement I steam sorption measurement

Thermography | active and passive – monitoring and control of process temperatures – steady-state microthermography

Measurement data acquisition systems

 

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES & METHODS

Multivariate data analysis I prime component analysis – prime component regression – PLS regression – multiple linear regression – cluster analysis – multivariate curve resolution

Multivariate statistical modelling I finite element modelling

Statistical design of experiments I design experts

Pilot and pilot plants

COMPOSIT TECHNICUM

Up scaling batch reactor 5 L

Laboratory foulard I impregnation or dyeing of nonwovens, mats, textiles

Spray drying of polymer dispersions

LCM process

FEM analyse software I pre- post processing – simulation of fiber composite components

Deformation analysis with auto grid I optical

 

3D PRINTING

Desktop continuous fiber printer | glass – aramid – carbon in polyamide matrix

 

COATING TECHNOLOGIES

Heating cooling press 760 × 420 mm | mould carrier press 600 × 600 mm

Atmospheric pressure plasma | activation and coating

Powder coating | electrostatic infrared curing of natural fiber composites

MDF, natural fiber composites, metal, chipboard, WPC

UV polymerization of UV curing systems

Film applicators | automated and manual