Formulation & Materials Laboratory
We develop build-to-specification resins and high-performance materials
The formulations and materials laboratory is dedicated to the developing build-to-specification resins and high-performance materials (multifunctional coatings, hybrid materials, resin for composites, etc.). We can prepare formulations and materials in the safest conditions thanks to an extensive range of equipment, allowing us to complete different tasks related to this activity.
Formulation devices
Different mixing devices are available and can be adapted according to the nature of the formulation. Vortex and mechanical stirring are suitable for mixing liquid components, while dual asymmetric centrifugal mixing (SpeedMixer, Hauschild) is employed for the compatibilization of highly viscous resin or inorganic particles into polymers. For the dispersion of particles in solutions, SPECIFIC POLYMERS is equipped with an Ultra Turrax (Byk) and an ultrasonic homogenizer.
Different mixing devices are available and can be adapted according to the nature of the formulation. Vortex and mechanical stirring are suitable for mixing liquid components, while dual asymmetric centrifugal mixing (SpeedMixer, Hauschild) is employed for the compatibilization of highly viscous resin or inorganic particles into polymers. For the dispersion of particles in solutions, SPECIFIC POLYMERS is equipped with an Ultra Turrax (Byk) and an ultrasonic homogenizer.
Implementation of coatings
The elaboration of tailor-made coatings is one of the laboratory’s main activities. There are three available methods to prepare the coatings: an automatic film applicator (byko-drive V), a spin-coater and a gravity feed spray gun (Iwata LPH-80).
The automatic film applicator achieves a dry film paint with a desirable, consistent drawdown, for thicknesses up to a hundred micrometers. The spin-coater is suitable for the deposition of thin layers (in the nanometer range) on silicon wafers. Our lab also prepares thick samples using suitable silicone moulds and can be dedicated to preparing test pieces for DMA or Charpy impact tests.
The elaboration of tailor-made coatings is one of the laboratory’s main activities. There are three available methods to prepare the coatings: an automatic film applicator (byko-drive V), a spin-coater and a gravity feed spray gun (Iwata LPH-80).
The automatic film applicator achieves a dry film paint with a desirable, consistent drawdown, for thicknesses up to a hundred micrometers. The spin-coater is suitable for the deposition of thin layers (in the nanometer range) on silicon wafers. Our lab also prepares thick samples using suitable silicone moulds and can be dedicated to preparing test pieces for DMA or Charpy impact tests.
Thermal and UV-curing
Our lab uses thermal or UV-curing to cure coatings and materials. Heating ovens with programmable ramps and a temperature range up to 300°C are available. A chamber furnace with a maximal temperature of 650°C (NA15/65 Nabertherm) that enables the curing of inorganic materials or the post-curing of high-performance materials is also available. A UV bench conveyor (Fusion UV system F300S) is employed for photo-polymerization and is ideal for producing small parts. It can handle various substrates up to 190 mm wide with an effective UV width up to 152 mm.
Our lab uses thermal or UV-curing to cure coatings and materials. Heating ovens with programmable ramps and a temperature range up to 300°C are available. A chamber furnace with a maximal temperature of 650°C (NA15/65 Nabertherm) that enables the curing of inorganic materials or the post-curing of high-performance materials is also available. A UV bench conveyor (Fusion UV system F300S) is employed for photo-polymerization and is ideal for producing small parts. It can handle various substrates up to 190 mm wide with an effective UV width up to 152 mm.
Physico-chemical characterizations
In order to characterize the properties of the formulations, coatings and materials prepared in our projects, different methods are available. Both brookfield viscometer and rheometer enable the measurement of the viscosity of the formulations, pencil hardness tests are achieved to determine the resistance of coating materials to scratch effects on the surface. The tests are performed according to the standard ISO 1584. Cross-cut test are performed using the crosshatch adhesion kit from Byk according to the standard ISO 2409. A pendulum hardness tester from Byk gives the resistance of a coating to a mechanical force, in accordance with methods described by König and Persoz. Thicknesses are assessed using the positector 6000 or byko-cut universal. A four-point probe system (Ossila) enables the measurement of sheet resistance, between 3 mΩ/sq and 10 MΩ/sq.
For more information on our analytical equipment or abilities, access our analysis service and analysis laboratory.