Testing Services



Using state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, AvPro is able to provide viscoelastic and/or thermal data for composite prepregs or neat resins.  Other materials used in composites manufacturing, such as adhesives, can also be tested.

Viscoelastic Data
AvPro operates two separate instruments for providing viscoelastic data: an RDA III and an ATD 2000 ESR.  Each instrument is equipped with a parallel plate test chamber.  The lower plate oscillates while a load cell in the stationary top plate measures the force and torque placed on the test specimen.

The RDA III is much more sensitve to low viscosities; it is typically used for determining the minimum viscosity values of neat resins.  Click here for technical details on the RDA III.

The ATD 2000 ESR is much more robust and is typically used for testing full composite prepregs through all stages of cure.  Click here for technical details on the ATD 2000 ESR.

Thermal Data
Thermal Analysis can be done on materials by utilization of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).  This technique compares the heat necessary to raise the temperature in an empty pan to the heat necessary to raise the temperature of the sample pan.  DSC testing is a long established method of testing the cure state of composites.  Click here for technical details on the DSC.