Mechanical Characterization

• Universal testing machines [Zwick] (ranges 10 N to 100 kN, -90 to 250 °C, different long-distance extensiometers, in-situ video monitoring)
• Servo-Hydraulic testing machine 810 [MTS] (up to 50 kN, -130 to 315 °C, different extensiometers)
• Optical 2D and 3D-deformation analysis [ARAMIS, GOM]
• Self-made tensile and bending equipment f or the use under the microscope as well as in a synchrotron (different force ranges, max. 1 kN)
• Impact bending testing (Charpy, Izod; also cold) and tensile 1 - 15 J, HDT/Vicat [CEAST], density (Helium-Micro-Pyknometer [Quantachrome] as well as buoyancy), ball-indentation hardness und Shore-A-hardness
• Nanoindenter G200 [MTS Nano Instruments] for indentation with different tip geometries (Berkovich, sphere) and scratch test
• Finite element analysis software ANSYS (2- and 3-dimensional modelling of mechanical problems with linear and non-linear material behaviour)

Thermo-analytical Characterization

• Dynamic-mechanical analysis under different loads (tensile, bending, shear, torsion) DMA Q800 [TA Instruments] (parameter range: -150 ... 500 °C, 0,01...200 Hz, modulus range 106 ... 1011 Pa, fixed frequency and resonant mode), ARES [RheometricScientific]

Melt spinning

Universal laboratory high speed spinning equipment, combined with either a single screw high-temperature extruder or a twin screw extruder (Leistritz), both usable for:

• melting and spinning temperature up to 450 °C (single sc.) or 350 °C (twin sc.)
• spinning velocity 50 to 6000 m/min
• throughput up to 3 kg/h
• spinning of monofilament and multifilament yarns including hollow and profiled fibres
• realization of spin-winding processes or spin-draw processes (including up to 3 heatable godet pairs)

Melt Spinning device for biomaterials combined with either a single screw extruder for pellets and a twin screw extruder for powders, blends and modifications:

• melt spinning of biopolymer fibres under GMP conditions for applications in medicine
• realization of spin-winding processes or spin-draw processes (including up to 3 heatable godet pairs)

Self constructed piston spinning equipment, usable for:

• polymer samples up to 10 gram
• melt and spinning temperatures up to 420 °C
• spinning velocity from 5 to 2000 m/min

Multistage laboratory drawing equipment by Dienes, usable for:

• velocities up to 2000 m/min
• up to 3 godets (2 drawing zones) and heat plates
• godets and plates heatable up to 450 °C

Various on-line measurement devices, usable for:

• velocity (Laserspeed System, Modell LS50M), temperature and tensile force measurements for running fibres

Ultrasonic running time measurement device