Our approach to Technical Consulting is to first clarify and understand the problem being solved. The most important question we ask is: "Is a materials solution the best approach to meeting the client's need?" A multi-disciplined approach that considers the application, performance requirements, alternative solutions, and volume projections is applied to each client's unique situation. We also take into account supply alternatives, manufacturing constraints, and situational constraints, resulting in a robust and efficient solution tailored for the client.
Once material requirements are clearly defined, we can help identify, create and source materials to meet our clients' needs. Additionally, we help our clients improve existing products and processes, and can provide a rapid response to troubleshooting product performance or process problems that often occur along the road to a finished product. It is our goal to have our clients think of Bay Materials as their one-stop-shop for consulting, resources, and custom materials whenever they need a materials solution.
Testing and Analysis Capabilities:
Thermal Analysis
TA Instruments Differential Scanning Calorimeter (2010) with Refrigerated Cooling System (RCS) — measures endothermic and exothermic transitions as a function of temperature. Transitions measured include Tg, melting, crystallization, curing and cure kinetics, and heat capacity. Detects subambient transitions to -60°C using RCS head.
TA Instruments Thermo Mechanical Analyzer (2040) — measures linear or volumetric changes in dimension versus temperature, time and force, and detects physical and mechanical properties, such as CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) and Tg.
TA Instruments Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (2980) — measures viscoelastic response to applied mechanical loading and detects viscoelastic properties as a function of temperature, time or frequency. The best method for detecting modulus changes and Tg of the stiffest materials, such as highly filled, crystalline or crosslinked polymers
Rheology
Brookfield Rheometer (Cone/Plate) — measures viscosity of paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, polymers, and resins as a function of shear rate, temperature, and time. A useful test for predicting a material’s flow, pressurized delivery or dispense properties using shear rate and/or temperature profiles.
CSI Melt Flow Index Tester — measures polymer extrusion (melt flow) rate as a function of temperature through a standard sized orifice at fixed shear rate. A quick rheological method for screening lot-to-lot consistency of polymer molecular weight and molecular weight distribution.
Mechanical Properties
Instron 5543 Mechanical Properties Tester — features universal electromechanical load frame for tensile, compression, flexure, peel, shear, and friction testing. Measures mechanical properties as function of load, stress/strain rate, and time. Useful for determining peel/shear strength, creep/stress relaxation, elastic modulus, ductility, yield point, and tensile/compressive strength.
Gardner Impact Tester — measures the resistance to deformation/failure of a material as a function of impact force. A rapid test for determining impact resistance of coatings, from paints and vanishes to tough plastic or laminated coatings. Useful for establishing quality standards for resistance to impact surface damage and penetration of plastics, resins and fiberglass.
Spectroscopy
Perkin Elmer DU 20 Ultraviolet & Visible Spectrophotometer — monitors the amount of absorbed light within UV/visible wavelength range. Useful for qualitative and quantitative analysis of UV absorbers, dyes and polymer films.
Nicolet Nexus 670 FT Infared Spectrophotometer with Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) Accessory — measures absorbance of light within IR wavelength range. Affords non-destructive and rapid qualitative information about chemical bonds (C-H, C=O, C-O, C-N, etc.). Useful for identifying and verifying polymer structure, organic components and additives, and extent of cure/reaction.
Color Analysis
Minolta CM 508-D Colorimeter and BYK-Gardner Color Guide Colorimeter — measures light reflected from a sample and calculates color values. Valuable, quick method for identifying color variations, enabling color matching, and ensuring color quality.
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