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

