Composites testing and analysis

The 6NAPSE Group carries out composites testing, analysis, material control expertise and validation tests / simulations.

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Composites

Composites are used in many industrial sectors: mobility (aeronautics, automotive, rail), optics, sport and leisure, packing / packaging.

Composite materials undergo many multi-physical stresses during their life cycle that can cause failures: appearance defect, rupture, cracking, degradation, discoloration, aging, etc.

Thus, composites require material control and control of their evolution in the environment.

Composites analysis and expertise laboratory

Our laboratory supports manufacturers in the analysis and characterization of their composites. In addition, our materials experts identify the nature and origin of a defect on a composite in order to put in place corrective and preventive actions.

Our laboratory carries out analyzes of raw materials up to carrying out complete expertise, taking into account the context in which the defect appeared. In addition, we also perform validation tests under conditions to characterize the premature aging of the system.

Finally, our experimental skills are accompanied by simulation and calculation expertise. Indeed, we have advanced numerical models to evaluate the behavior of different materials in real conditions of use. This type of diagnosis allows us to define the constraints encountered by a product during its life cycle. We then support your teams in validating the replacement solution. The calculations performed also contribute to reduce the number of physical prototypes tested and to comparing their performance.

The analysis and expertise of composites makes it possible to:

• Validate the compliance of the composite with the expected specifications and the constraints of the context by carrying out chemical analyses, mechanical tests and characterization of the composites.
• Test the resistance of composites to climatic environments, humidity, resistance to fluids or resistance to UV or the solar spectrum (Sun test);
• Observe a defect under microscopy in order to determine its origin (Crack, following an impact, by fatigue, by material non-compliance, presence of inclusions, embrittlement, ageing, surface preparation, wear, orientation of reinforcements, etc. );
• Diagnose the origin of the failure of a composite and propose solutions

Composite materials analysis

• Physico-chemical characterization of composites
• Composite nature identification
• Observation of the physical structure of composites by optical microscopy and SEM-EDX (porosity, charges within the material (eg: fiberglass))
• Composite surface analysis (topography, surface tension)
• Characterization of raw materials, polymer (powders, granules and unprocessed materials) and fiber
• Hardness measurement (A, D) and surface hardness measurement (nanoindentation)
• Chemical composition analyzes and composites controls
• Quantification of pollution in a composite
• Dosage of heavy metals in composites
• Dynamic mechanical analysis of composites

Composites testing and expertise

• Failure expertise: breakage, defect, wear, etc.
• Material Durability Tests:
  • Environmental aging
  • Mechanical tests
  • Vibration tests
• Acoustic tests (sound absorption / insulation) and noise reduction
• Characterization of damping, dynamic stiffness of composites
• Composite modeling and part simulation
• Simulation of crash and impact on composites
• Material control and product conformity

What is a composite material?

The composite material is an assembly of at least two immiscible materials. It consists of a: framework called reinforcement (ensures mechanical strength), and a matrix made of plastic (thermoplastic or thermosetting), metal or ceramic.

It is customary to classify composites by the nature of their matrix:

• Organic Matrix Composites (OMC): Widespread and High Performance Composites)
• Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC): These are for very high temperature applications. They are mainly used in the space industry and military aeronautics.
• Metal Matrix Composites (MMC): Ceramic Short Fiber CMMs, Ceramic or Metallic Long Fiber CMMs

6NAPSE Group assets

• All the controls, tests and analyzes of our laboratories are carried out in compliance with the quality criteria of our industrial customers.
• Short standard deadlines and possibilities of urgent care