Advanced materials analysis and characterization techniques

Short description

Methods for evaluation of material properties, including: Surface analysis using non-invasive assessment of micro and nano structures of technical surfaces. High performance thermogravimetric analysis. Microhardness analysis of specimens. Microscopical analysis. Sample preparation of metallographic specimens. (e.g. by cutting, impregnation and cold or hot mounting of specimens, polishing, etching or electroetching of metals). Analytical sieving.

Main technical features

The lab’s equipment is currently as listed below:

Microscopy Room

3D Optical Surface Metrology System (Combines confocal and interferometry technology, high resolution, high speed)
Optical inverter microscope with image acquisition system and motorized table.
Microhardness tester with visualization system and software microvickers hardness tester
Surface Finish Measuring Unit with data processor

Thermogravimetry Room

Thermogravimetric Balance TGA, DTA, DSC (Temperature range: ambient to 1750ºC) equipped with a compact recirculating cooler and a thermostatic line to 200ºC, with a security box for tests in presence of hydrogen. Include an adapted to connect a controlled evaporator mixer and a MicroGC simultaneously to the equipment.
Controled evaporator mixer system for steam suply.
Fixed Gas Detector

Metallography Room

Automatic cutoff machine
Manual cutoff machine
Mounting press
Vacuum impregnation unit
Polisher (automatic with dosing system)
Metallographic polisher 2 plates
Grinder
Ultrasonic bath
Fume cupboards
Power Source programmable for electrochemical attack
Analytical sieve shaker
Balance (max 60Kg)
Balance (max 320g / min 10mg)

SEM Room

The PSA also has an electronic microscope with the following specifications and installed in its own room, which is shared by the AMES and SCS Units.

Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) high/low vacuum, secondary electron image, backscattered electron image, cooling stage and magnification 5x to 300.000x.
Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS)

Besides, the SEM room also has environmental secondary electron detector (ESED), a critical point dryer and sputterer.

Innovative aspects

The Thermogravimetric Balance available in PSA-CIEMAT include an special improvement to connect simultaneously a controlled evaporator mixer and a microGC to the equipment.

Applications

The Thermogravimetric Balance TGA, DTA, DSC available at PSA-CIEMAT has different possibilities of tests:

Tests in water steam under different atmosphere up to 1750ºC (measured with a microGC).
Tests under corrosive atmosphere up to 1.000ºC.
Tests under Hydrogen atmosphere
Tests under Oxygen atmosphere

Image gallery

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Type of partner sought

Research organizations,Companies

Tasks to be performed by the partner you are looking for.

This IP asset is internally used by CIEMAT to perform studies in R+D projects related to advanced materials analysis and characterization. However, this asset can be also transferred to other Parties under bilateral contracts stipulatinmg a compensation for CIEMAT.

CIEMAT is not looking for Partners to transfer this know-how. However, it is possible to arrange a licensing contract if another Partner is interested in using this know-how