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A.T.A.R.D. Laboratories

A Division of Shadé Incorporated

A.T.A.R.D.
Laboratories

Accurate Testing and Analysis, Research and Development (A.T.A.R.D.) Laboratories® is involved in rheological, physical, thermal, chemical resistance and analytical testing. This division uses sophisticated instruments and techniques to support our customers’ requirements for testing and failure analysis. A.T.A.R.D. also supports all of our other divisions through the research and development of materials and processes. It is available for both aerospace and commercial testing and analysis.

Analytical Capabilities
of A.T.A.R.D. Laboratories

A.T.A.R.D. Laboratories is a full service materials test and resin development facility with expertise in rheological, physical, thermal, chemical resistance and analytical testing. This division has primarily provided support to major aerospace companies and to the United States Department of Defense. We are also available for special process and materials consulting.
Our major analytical capabilities include:

Polymer Analysis

  • Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)
  • High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
  • Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
  • TGA/GC/MS
  • Polymer Kinetics
  • Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis
  • Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
  • Melt Index
  • Morphological Characterization
  • Wet Titration

Surface Chemistry

  • Surface Tension of Newtonian & Non-Newtonian Media
  • Fiber Wet-Out Properties of Resinous Materials

Physical Testing

  • Specific Gravity/Density
  • Hardness–Micro and Macro
  • Water Absorption and Permeability
  • Resin/Fiber and Void Content
  • Viscosity–Flow

Environmental
Testing

  • Temperature/Humidity
  • Salt Spray
  • Thermal Shock and Temperature Cycling
  • Vibration and Shock
  • Weatherometer
  • Durability and Life Cycling

Metallography
/Microanalysis

  • Zeiss & Olympus Metallographs
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy
  • Photomacrography
  • Photomicrography
  • Metallography Preparation
  • Failure Analysis

Thermo-
Physical Testing

  • Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
  • Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
  • Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)
  • Heat Distortion–Melting Point
  • Thermal Conductivity

Mechanical
Testing

  • Tensile, Flexural, Compressive, Shear
  • -300°F to 1000°F Test Temperature Range
  • Fatigue, Creep, Stress Rupture
  • Laser Strain Anyalysis
  • Expert Specimen Preparation from Composites
  • Structures Testing and Multichannnel Data Acquisition
  • Instrumented Impact
  • Abrasion Resistance

Equipment Capabilities
of A.T.A.R.D. Laboratories

This is your Text paragraph. It’s a great place to add a description of your business, your site or what you do. Use this space to add information for your users, write about your philosophy or your journey and define your distinguishing qualities. Consider adding an image for extra engagement. A.T.A.R.D. Laboratories is a full service materials test facility with expertise in rheological, physical, thermal, chemical resistance and analytical testing. This division has primarily provided support to major aerospace companies and to the United States Department of Defense.
We are available for special process and materials consulting.

Thermal Analysis
Instruments

Thermal analysis is a general term defining testing of a material under “thermal”
(of or relating to heat) conditions. Other environments, such as subambient,
can be simulated as needed.

  • Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC): Shimadzu, Model DSC-50
  • Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC): TA Instruments, Model MDSC 2920
  • Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA): TA Instruments, Model DMA 2980
  • Thermomechanical Analyzer (TMA): Shimadzu, Model TMA-50
  • Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA): Shimadzu, Model TGA-50

Chromatography

Chromatography is a general term that describes the separation of complex
solutions into chemically distinct layers.

  • Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) with TGA Connection —
  • Shimadzu, Model GC/MS-QP5050A
  • Gel Permeation Chromatography/High Performance Liquid Chromatography
  • (GPC/HPLC) with Auto Injector — Shimadzu
  • Gas Chromatography (GC) with Flame Ionization Detector (FID) and
  • Electron Capture Detector (ECD) — Shimadzu, Model GC-17A

Infrared
Spectroscopy

  • Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
    with Golden Gate ATR: Nicolet Magna 560 Series (ESP)

Tensiometry

  • K-12 Tensiometer: Krüss

Liquid Molding

  • Resin Transfer Molding (RTM): RTM 2100 Injector System
  • (Radius Engineering); 24 inch by 24 inch Heated Mold (North Cost Tool and Mold)
  • Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VaRTM)

Mechanical Testing

Universal Test Machine (UTM):
United Testing Systems; equipped with a 3,000 pound load cell and a 30,000 pound load cell, laser extensometer and test chamber capable of temperatures ranging from -300°F to 1000°F. This system is capable of performing the following tests using the associated Wyoming Test Fixtures:

  1. Punch Shear (ASTM D-732)
  2. Flat wise Tensile (ASTM D-297)
  3. Sandwich Panel Shear (ASTM C-273)
  4. Split Disk Tensile (ASTM D-2290, Type A)
  5. Three-Rail Shear (ASTM D-4255)
  6. Laminate Bearing (SACMA SRM 88-9)
  7. Long Beam Flexural
  8. Fastener Double Shear
  9. Boeing Compression After Impact
  10. Wyoming Modified Celanese Compression
  11. Boeing Open Hole Compression
  12. Fracture Toughness Tensile
  13. Iosipescu Shear
  14. Short Beam Shear, 3 or 4 Point Loading
  15. Flexural, 3 or 4 Point Loading (ASTM D-790)
  16. Modified Compression (ASTM D-695)
  17. Climbing Drum Peel
Physical Tests Table
Test No. Description Method
PHYS-1Decalin ExtractionASTM D2765
PHYS-2Dilute Solution ViscosityASTM D2857
PHYS-3Density Displacement MethodASTM D792
PHYS-4Density Density GradientASTM D1505
PHYS-5Soxhlet Extraction (plasticizer, % extractables)
PHYS-6Water AbsorptionASTM D570
PHYS-7Heat Deflection TemperatureASTM D648
PHYS-8Vicat Softening TemperatureASTM D1525
PHYS-9Shore HardnessASTM D2240
PHYS-10Rockwell M HardnessASTM D785
PHYS-11Surface Tension, Krüss
PHYS-12Surface Angle, Krüss
PHYS-13Resin/Fiber Content, Glass (3 sample lot)ASTM D2734
PHYS-14Resin/Fiber Content, Graphite (3 sample lot)ASTM D3171
PHYS-15Ash Content
PHYS-16Gel Time, per TemperatureASTM D1824
Mechanical Tests Table
Test No. Description Method
MECH-1Tensile PropertiesASTM D638
MECH-2Flexural PropertiesASTM D790
MECH-3Compression PropertiesASTM D695
MECH-4IZOD / Charpy ImpactASTM D256
MECH-5Gardner ImpactASTM D3029
MECH-6Tensile ImpactASTM D1822
MECH-7Instrumented Dart ImpactASTM D3763
MECH-8Instrumented IZODASTM D256
MECH-9Horizontal ShearASTM D2344
MECH-10Plane-Strain Fracture Toughness (G1c)ASTM D5045
MECH-11Instrumentation for Impact-Product Tests (per event) -- additional charge for strain gauges
MECH-12Instrumented Specimen Testing (per event)
MECH-13Fatigue Testing (per S-N diagram)
MECH-14Creep Testing (per condition)
MECH-15Abrasion Testing
MECH-16Compression Strength & Modules of CompositesASTM D695-BM
MECH-17Flexural Strength & Modules of CompositesASTM D790
Mechanical Tests Table (Extended)
Test No. Description Method
MECH-1Tensile PropertiesASTM D638
MECH-2Flexural PropertiesASTM D790
MECH-3Compression PropertiesASTM D695
MECH-4IZOD / Charpy ImpactASTM D256
MECH-5Gardner ImpactASTM D3029
MECH-6Tensile ImpactASTM D1822
MECH-7Instrumented Dart ImpactASTM D3763
MECH-8Instrumented IZODASTM D256
MECH-9Horizontal ShearASTM D2344
MECH-10Plane-Strain Fracture Toughness (G1c)ASTM D5045
MECH-11Instrumentation for Impact-Product Tests (per event) -- additional charge for strain gauges
MECH-12Instrumented Specimen Testing (per event)
MECH-13Fatigue Testing (per S-N diagram)
MECH-14Creep Testing (per condition)
MECH-15Abrasion Testing
MECH-16Compression Strength & Modules of CompositesASTM D695-BM
MECH-17Flexural Strength & Modules of CompositesASTM D790
MECH-18Tensile Strength & Modules of CompositesASTM D3039

THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS
Test No. Description Method
TGA-1 Weight Loss Profile 10 or 20°F/min.
TGA-2 % Carbon Black
TGA-3 USP Weight Loss on Drying
TGA-4 Thermal Degradation Kinetics

DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY
Test No. Description Method
DSC-1 Melt Profile and % Crystallinity (heat/cool/heat profiles)
DSC-2 Specific Heat (cost replicate)
DSC-3 Tg Above Room Temperature
DSC-4 Tg Below Room Temperature
DSC-5 Oxidative Induction Time (up to 1 hour) ASTM D3895
DSC-6 Oxidative Induction Temperature ASTM D3350
DSC-7 Curing Studies
DSC-8 Modulated
Test No. Description Method
TMA-1 Coeff Linear Thermal Expansion Above RT
TMA-2 Coeff Linear Thermal Expansion Below RT
TMA-3 Glass Transition Temperature Above RT
TMA-4 Glass Transition Temperature Below RT
TMA-5 Penetration Profile Above RT
TMA-6 Penetration Profile Below RT
TMA-7 Machine Specimens, if necessary

DYNAMIC MECHANICAL ANALYSIS
Test No. Description Method
DMA-1 G’, G” (or E’, E”) and Tan Delta vs. Temperature ASTM D4065

EXTRUSION PLASTOMETER (MELT INDEX)
Test No. Description Method
MI-1 Melt Flow Rate ASTM D1238

CAPILLARY RHEOMETER
Test No. Description Method
RHEO-1 Melt Viscosity / Shear Rate Profile, Each Temperature
RHEO-2 Processability Studies
RHEO-3 Time-Temperature Superposition / Flow Activation Energy Study

MECHANICAL SPECTROMETER
Test No. Description Method
RHEO-4 G’, G”, Tan Delta, Complex Viscosity-Temperature Sweep Temperature
RHEO-5 Dynamic Properties, Frequency Sweep

GEL PERMEATION CHROMATOGRAPHY
Test No. Description Method
GPC-1 Molecular Weight Distribution – Room Temp.
GPC-2 Molecular Weight Distribution – High Temp.
GPC-3 Derivatization or Special Procedures
GPC-4 Fraction Collection

HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY
Test No. Description Method
HPLC-1 Additive Analysis by Established Method
HPLC-2 Monomer Analysis by Established Method
HPLC-3 Method Development, Special Analysis

GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
Test No. Description Method
GC-1 Method Development and Analysis

GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY / MASS SPECTROMETRY
Test No. Description Method
GC-2 Established Method and Analysis
GC-3 Method Development and Analysis

SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE
Test No. Description Method
SEM-1 SEM Imaging
SEM-2 Stereo-SEM Imaging
SEM-3 Size Distribution Analysis
SEM-4 EDX Elemental Analysis
SEM-5 Elemental Mapping

OPTICAL MICROSCOPY
Test No. Description Method
MIC-1 Microscopic Examinations and Photography

INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY

FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY
Test No. Description Method
IR-1 Record Spectrum Only (Microscope, ATR, DRIFTS, or standard acquisition method assuming no special sample preparation)
IR-2 Special Interpretation
IR-3 Quantitative Analysis or Special Procedure