Facilities

 

Mechanical testing

The following mechanical testing facilities are available:

  • 30kN MTS universal testing machine.
  • 30 kN Instron (retro fitted) servo-hydraulic testing machine.
  • 250 kN Amsler hydraulic testing machine.
  • Impact testing.
  • EMCO Durascan 10 Vickers micro hardness tester,
  • Rockwell hardness tester.

Die compaction of powders is available using the 250 kN Amsler hydraulic press and a 12 ton (100 kN) Carver manual press. Tooling for 10 mm and 25 mm diameter slugs, as well as rectangular transverse rupture bars for three-point bend testing is available.

Digital image and volume correlation

Our digital image correlation system (from LaVision) comprises of a stereo vision camera setup to allow for in-plane and out-of plane measurements. Our system offers a range of digital cameras and lenses to allow a large field of view.

Digital volume correlations can be performed with the use of volume data using industrial X-ray micro computed tomography facility though the Central Analytical Facilities.

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Heat-treatment and sintering

The following furnaces are available:

  • horizontal tube furnace (up to 1500°C) that can be used in high vacuum (<10-5 mbar) or under flowing argon – used exclusively for titanium
  • continuous pusher furnace (up to 1200⁰C) with controlled hydrogen/nitrogen atmosphere
  • a number of muffle furnaces capable of performing atmospheric heat treatments up to 1000°C

Additive manufacturing

The Materials engineering group makes regular use of facilities of the Stellenbosch Technology Centre - Laboratory for Advanced Manufacturing (STC-LAM). These serves include, additive- and subtractive manufacturing. The STC importantly owns a laser powder bed fusion machine: Concept Laser M2. This machine is capable of additively fabricating materials from Ti6Al4V, Stainless 316 and Maraging Steel.

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Microscopy

Light microscopes are geared for light microscopy with digital cameras attached for the acquisition of high quality images:

  • Inverted metallurgical light microscope (Olympus GX51)
  • Stereo microscope (Olympus SZX7)
  • Stream Essentials 1.8 image analysis software
Scanning electron microscopy with electron dispersive spectroscopy is available through collaboration with the Central Analytical Facility.
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Specimen preparation

Preparation of specimens for microstructural analysis:

  • Low speed precision cut-off saw.
  • Hot and cold mounting of samples.
  • Automatic grinder/polisher.
  • Ultrasonic bath.
  • Acid etching.

Powder analysis

Powder particle size analysis is carried out by sieving analysis (Endecott calibrated sieve in a shaker) or by laser diffraction (Micromeritics Saturn DigiSizer, in collaboration with Process Engineering).

Apparent density and flow rate are measured using a Hall flow meter.

X-ray computer tomography

Industrial X-ray micro computed tomography is available through collaboration with the Stellenbosch University CT Scanner Facility of the Central Analytical Facility. This technology allows high-resolution non-destructive 3D analysis of materials, for porosity, defects, cracks and dimensional accuracy analysis. Micro and nanoCT scanners are available, as well as advanced image processing and analysis. Additionally, in-situ tensile and compression and temperature stages are available for materials testing under load, up to 500 N and from -10 to +50 degrees C.
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