STEM - Thermal Analysis and Testing Equipment

Tender description

A 4,200 square metre building for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is being built at the University's Markeaton Street site. The centre, which is expected to be completed by 2017, will focus on real-world learning, combining functional teaching space with infrastructure designed for the specific needs of engineering and computing. The College of Engineering and Technology, University of Derby is expanding in to the field of composite materials. A laboratory is being setup to look at the advanced material characterisation of these materials. It will offer an extensive range of analysis equipment for the characterisation of composites and their constituent materials. The purpose of this tender is to expand on the current facilities, therefore enhancing the student experience with up to date equipment. This is a tender to provide three items of thermal analysis and testing equipment: Item 1 - Dynamic Mechanical Analysis. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is an important technique used to measure the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of materials such as thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, ceramics and metals. In DMA, the sample is subjected to a periodic stress in one of several different modes of deformation. The force and displacement amplitudes and phase shift are analysed as a function of temperature, time and frequency Item 2 - Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is the most frequently used thermal analysis technique. DSC measures enthalpy changes in samples due to changes in their physical and chemical properties as a function of temperature or time. Item 3 - Thermomechanical Analysis. Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) is used to measure dimensional changes of a material as a function of temperature. TMA easily and rapidly measures sample displacement (growth, shrinkage, movement, etc.) as a function of temperature, time and applied force. TMA is used to characterize linear expansion, glass transitions, and softening points of materials by applying a constant force to a specimen while varying temperature.