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Center for Dynamic Response of Advanced Materials
CDRAM was established in 1994. Maecenas in magna eget velit laoreet fringilla. In vitae dolor eget est commodo ornare. Sed felis. Sed blandit ultrices elit. Donec aliquet purus non libero.
Processing
Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) - The SPS system was acquired by CDRAM in Spring 2009 and is currently installed in the PERC building, UF, Gainesville. This specific system can produce large size metal and ceramic disks up to 2” in diameter. SPS technique has evolved as a promising rapid consolidation method for various materials, especially difficult-to-sinter high temperature ceramics. Unlike the traditional sintering techniques where consolidation times are on the order of several hours, SPS can produce fully sintered materials in less than 10 minutes. Sintering via this technique involves plasma activation and localized resistive heating (i.e. Joule heating) of a powder compact through the application of a low voltage direct current (DC).
Mechanical Testing
Quasi-static Testing Facilities
Static indentation hardness tester- this static hardness tester has the advantage of conducting both micro- and macro-indentation experiments in a single machine. The indentation load range is from as low as 20 g to 55 kg maximum. (NEB 107)
Mechanical Testing Machine - maximum load 20,000 lbs (NEB 112)
High Strain Rate (Dynamic) Testing Facilities
Dynamic indentation hardness tester – This set up was developed by Dr. Ghatu Subhash and his co-workers (also patented) to investigate the rate-dependent indentation properties of metallic and brittle materials. In this technique, elastic stress wave propagation in a slender rod is utilized to deliver the desired load in 100 µs duration or less compared to static indentation where load is applied over 10-15 seconds. While the strain rate of deformation in static indentation is in the order of 10-5/s, in dynamic indentation experiments strain rate on the order of 103/s can be attained. This technique is parallel to the static indentation technique and thus, a direct comparison between static and dynamic indentations can be made. (NEB 107)
Split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) – CDRAM has several SHPB set ups for dynamic compression testing of metals, ceramics, composites and soft materials. In SHPB testing, materials can be deformed in the strain rate range of 102 – 104/s. The metallic SHPB set up (made of maraging steel) is used to obtain the constitutive response of metals and ceramics. The polymer SHPB system is used for dynamic compression and shear testing of soft materials. (all the SHPB facilities are installed at NEB 107)
Polymer split-Hopkinson pressure bar
Characterization
Micro-Raman spectrometer system - this system was acquired by CDRAM in Fall 2010 and is based on a visible Si laser (532 nm). High resolution micro-Raman spectroscopy is extremely useful for residual stress measurements, investigation of phase transformations, etc. (NEB 118)
High-speed digital camera - maximum speed 1.4 million fps (NEB 107). Utilized for capturing high strain rate (dynamic) deformation and failure in metals, ceramics, composites and soft materials.
Optical Microscope
Sample Preparation
Auto Polisher - metallographic specimen preparation for metals and ceramics
Circular Saw - Utilizes a diamond imbedded blade in order to cut high strength materials for sample preparation.
Data Acquisition System
Digital Oscilloscope