Material testing for the marine industry often requires low temperatures and specialized equipment. This NRC laboratory is uniquely capable of meeting those demands with precise measurement and analysis of results.
The laboratory consists of four rooms with independent refrigeration systems, capable of temperatures to -32 °C. Tests include uni-axial compressive and tensile strength using force measurement load cells (piezo-electric and strain gauge), linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs), extensometers and accelerometers.
Our capabilities
The facility has a variety of equipment for ice preparation, video recording and data acquisition. The material test system consists of a 1 MN load frame with maximum force of 160 kN and maximum actuator speed of 130 mm/s. A 100 kN load frame with maximum force of 25 kN and maximum speed of 1600 mm/s is also available. Stock platens include a variable length, triple-point beam (up to 1.1 m) and a temperature controlled compressive platen of Ø 15.2 cm. A triaxial cell with a confining pressure of 25 MPa is also available upon request.
The four rooms, each with independent refrigeration systems, are as follows. First room is for sample preparation, the second room is for testing, the third is an anteroom which maintains a constant temperature of 0 °C, and the fourth is maintained at a nominal temperature for long-term ice storage. The fourth room is often used for ice tank ice quality and general laboratory work where temperature control is less critical.
Ice preparation equipment includes:
- manual-3 axis milling machine (24" × 11 ¾" × 13 ½" )
- lathe (24" × Ø 6" )
- sled microtome (10 × 14 cm)
- 17" band saw
- 8" jointer
- water distillery rated at 5 L/hr
- two Nold deaerators at 8 L each
- two vacuum manifold systems rated at 15 and 1 micron
- two large, portable ice growth tanks at 700 L and 170 L with pressure relief
- ice crusher
- a selection of ASTM gravel sieves
Why work with us
In working with industry to bridge the gap between innovation and commercialization, the NRC plays a critical role in de-risking and demonstrating technologies in order to support industry bringing them to market. Working with the NRC offers you the competitive advantage of world-class, customizable testing facilities combined with the broad knowledge and experience of our in-house research staff. The NRC capitalizes on our professional employees who have extensive experience in advanced engineering for complex water environments.
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