Composites Processing:
The Barnett Lab has several composites processing capabilities including compression molding, 3-D printing, vacuum infusion, and wet layup. We have a large Wabash vacuum press capable of processing high performance thermoplastics such as PEEK and PAEK in low-oxygen environments at temperatures of up to 800 °F and up to 150 tons clamp force over 24″ square platens. The press is capable of controlled cooling rates through a high performance chiller and PID-controlled platen cooling. New processing capabilities are being brought on all the time as the lab is actively growing. We also collaborate closely with faculty members at the Center for Renewable Carbon and the Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility where we have access to a host of other composites manufacturing equipment including compression molding, fiber thermoforming, injection molding, and compounding/extrusion, among others.
Material Synthesis:
The lab contains a fume hood and chemistry equipment for the synthesis of polymers such as covalent adaptive networks (vitrimers), surface modification of materials, and the creation of new multifunctional polymers. In addition to the Barnett Lab, substantial synthesis capabilities are available through our collaborators at the Center for Renewable Carbon and the Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing.
Characterization:
Our lab also contains an MTS Criterion 43 electromechanical load frame with several load cells, fixtures, and integrated Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and Perkin Elmer TGA 8000. We work closely with several collaborators, sharing access between our labs with an interdisciplinary group of researchers. Multi-scale mechanical characterization techniques ranging from single fiber testing to high capacity servohydrualic load frames are available to us through our collaborators. We have access to thermal characterization equipment including TGA, DMA, DSC, DEA, and FTIR, among others, through our collaborators at the CRC. Nano-indentation, high resolution optical microscopy, x-ray computed tomography, and other nano/micro-scale characterization equipment is available through our collaborators at IAMM. Campus user facilities provide access to equipment such as XRD, SEM, TEM, and AFM, among others.