Materials Laboratory

The Materials Laboratory began its activities in 1972 mainly to support the academic training of mechanical and industrial engineers through the study of the mechanical properties of different engineering materials and their close relationship with their microstructural characteristics.

Currently, in addition to carrying out various materials tests, the PUCP Materials Laboratory has implemented consulting and inspection services aimed at meeting the needs of various industrial sectors. Due to its constant support to the national industry, its technology capabilities and trained personnel, it currently has the qualification of "Centro de Innovación Productiva y Transferencia Tecnológica CITEmateriales PUCP", qualification granted by the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE).

The Materials Laboratory has the following areas:

• Testing Area.
• Polymers and composites.
• Non-destructive testing.
• Heat treatments.
• Microanalysis.

Mission:

To articulate the needs of the industry, the benefits provided by the state and the development of knowledge generated by the academy; through agreements and research projects that are worked with highly qualified personnel; with the purpose of transferring and extending technologies to the companies, contributing to their development and improving their productivity.

Vision:

To be a leading organization in research and technological development in the field of materials, recognized in contributing to the improvement of productivity and competitiveness of companies nationwide, by supporting innovation, technology transfer and process improvement.

Equipamiento y software

Universal Traction Machine with Extensometer.

Elementary equipment for the determination of mechanical properties. Equipment of different capacities (0.5kN, 50 kN, 250kN, 600kN) and strokes (up to 180cm) are available.

Optical Emission Spectrometer (OES).

Allows to quantify the percentage of alloying elements in the metallic material of Fe-based alloys (steels and castings), Cu, Al, Ni, Ti and Co.

Inverted Metallographic Microscope (50X to 1000X).

Analyze microstructures of various alloys and verify heat treatment and casting conditions, among others.

Impact Pendulum with Robotest System and Low and High Temperature Specimen Conditioning Chamber.

The robotest system ensures that the impact test is performed at the temperature desired by your requirements (from -160°C to 200°C).

Vickers hardness tester.

It allows to evaluate the hardness of different materials under the Vickers method (loads from 100g to 20 kg).

Softening Temperature Measurement Equipment (VICAT/HDT).

To determine the temperature at which the plastic product changes its mechanical properties (softens).

Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC).

It is used to determine the glass transition temperature, crystallization, melting and degradation temperature. As well as heat capacity and degree of crystallinity. Temperature range: Ambient up to 900°C.

Thermogravimeter (TGA).

Equipment that allows to determine the mass change temperatures of the material and thus to evaluate the percentage of the materials that compose it, together with supplementary techniques.

Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR).

Technique necessary to identify the type of polymers or polymers that compose the sample (blends), by means of Absorbance or Transmittance techniques.

Universal Plastic Hardness Tester.

Allows the evaluation of hardness in thermoplastic materials and elastomers. Widely used for rubbers and silicones.

Fluidity Index (MFlow).

Fundamental equipment for the determination of the working temperature of a given polymer (e.g. for extrusion or injection).

Industrial Radiography RX Equipment.

For field or laboratory inspections. With capacity up to 300kV of power.

Videoscope

Specially designed for internal visual inspection of pipes or elements with reduced access. It has a capacity of 30m longitudinal.

Cursos

The Materials Laboratory provides support to academic training in:

Undergraduate (Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering and Biomedical Engineering):

• Materials Engineering 1 (MEC257).
• Materials Engineering 2 (MEC281).

Posgrado:

• Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Master's Degree in Welding Engineering.
• Master's Degree in Materials Science and Engineering.

Continuing Education ( INGESOLD PUCP Programs):

• Specialization Diploma in Welding Engineering.
• Specialization Diploma in Heavy Machinery Engineering.
• Welding Supervisor Study Diploma.
• Welding Inspector Study Diploma.
• Diploma of Study in Failure Analysis.