Fabrication Facilities List
Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analyzer (DMTA).
Make and Model: Netzsch DMA242E
Test temperature: -160 to 550 °C
Load range: up to 12 ± 12 N
Test fixtures: Tensile, Compression, Flexural, Single and dual cantilever
Test type: Standard DMA, Creep & Recovery, Stress relaxation
UTM with Environmental Chamber
Make and Model: Instron 5967
Test temperature: -110 to 250 °C
Load range: up to 30 kN
Loading rate: up to 1000 mm/min
Test fixtures: Tensile and Flexural
Alternating Differential Scanning Calorimetry-low temperature (ADSC)
Make and Model: Mettler Toledo DSC 822
Temperature range: -60 to 400 °C
Desired static and dynamic temperature cycle setting facility
Alternating cooling and heating
Heating rate: up to 60 °C/min
Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy-Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) Microscope
Make and Model: Shimadzu IR Prestige-21
Infra-red range: 350 to 7800 cm-1
High sensitivity
Sample type: Solid and semi-liquid
Vacuume Assisted Hand Layup Process
The Vacuum-Assisted Hand Lay-Up Process is a composite manufacturing technique in which reinforcing fibres and resin are manually placed and impregnated over a mould, followed by vacuum consolidation. The applied vacuum helps remove excess resin and trapped air, resulting in improved fibre wet-out, reduced void content, and better laminate quality.
VARTM/VARI
Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM), also known as Vacuum-Assisted Resin Infusion (VARI), is a composite manufacturing process in which dry reinforcement fibres are placed in a mould and resin is drawn through the fibre preform using vacuum pressure. The process produces lightweight, high-quality composite laminates with good fibre wet-out and reduced void content.
Hot Compression Molding
Hot Compression Molding is a composite manufacturing process in which reinforcement materials are first laid up and impregnated with resin, followed by hydraulic compression under controlled heat and pressure. The combined heat and pressure consolidate the laminate, reduce voids, improve fibre volume fraction, and produce high-quality composite components with good surface finish and dimensional accuracy.
Hand Layup Process
Hand Lay-Up is a simple and versatile composite manufacturing process in which reinforcement materials such as fibres, fabrics, or mats are manually placed onto a mould and impregnated with resin. The laminate is then compacted and cured to produce composite components with the required shape and properties.
Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) Machine
The Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) Machine is used to deposit thin, uniform coatings or films onto substrate surfaces through controlled chemical reactions of gaseous precursors at elevated temperatures. It is widely used for surface modification, protective coatings, and advanced material development.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printing Machine
The Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printing Machine is an additive manufacturing system used to produce three-dimensional components by depositing thermoplastic material layer by layer based on a digital 3D model.
In-house Electrophoretic Deposition Setup
In cathodic EPD, the carbon fiber acted as the cathode and stainless steel as the counter electrode for depositing nano-fillers onto the fibers. The coated fibers were dried, treated with acetone to remove MV, and thermally annealed to improve adhesion between the fibers and nano-fillers.
In-house Alignment Setup
The AFCNT-GE composites were fabricated by electric field-assisted alignment during hand lay-up, with FCNT/epoxy resin applied between successive E-glass fiber layers and consolidated using a roller.
An AC electric field was applied across the laminate to induce dielectrophoretic alignment of FCNTs, with the alignment process continued until gelation began.
The laminate was then cured at room temperature, followed by post-curing in a hot-air oven* to enhance cross-linking and improve its thermal and mechanical properties.
In-house Composite Recycling Setup
The Microwave-Assisted Chemical Recycling (MACR) technique was employed to reclaim glass fabrics (RGFs) from waste GFRP laminates using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and glacial acetic acid.
The waste laminate was subjected to cyclic microwave irradiation with intermediate cooling to facilitate the breakdown and removal of the epoxy matrix while reducing solvent and energy consumption.
The reclaimed glass fabrics were subsequently cleaned with acetone, brushed thoroughly, and dried at room temperature for further use.
Hot air Oven
The Hot Air Oven is used for controlled heating, drying, and thermal conditioning of materials and specimens at elevated temperatures. It provides a uniform hot-air environment for laboratory testing and material processing.
Hot & Cold Cabinet
A Hot & Cold Cabinet is used to expose materials and components to controlled high- and low-temperature conditions for evaluating their thermal stability, durability, and performance under varying environmental conditions.
Humidity Cabinet
A Humidity Cabinet is used to provide a controlled environment of temperature and relative humidity for conditioning and evaluating materials under humid conditions. It is useful for studying moisture-induced changes and environmental durability.
Ultra-Low Temperature Chamber
An Ultra-Low Temperature Chamber is used for controlled storage and conditioning of materials and samples at very low temperatures. It provides a stable and uniform low-temperature environment for studying material behavior and temperature-dependent properties.
Vacuum Oven
A Vacuum Oven is used for controlled drying, heating, and thermal treatment of materials under reduced pressure. The vacuum environment enables efficient removal of moisture and volatile components at relatively low temperatures while minimizing oxidation.
UV and Rainwater Chamber
The UV and Rainwater Chamber is used to simulate accelerated outdoor weathering conditions by exposing materials to controlled ultraviolet (UV) radiation, moisture, and water spray. It helps evaluate the durability and performance of materials under prolonged environmental exposure.
Diamond Cutting Machine
Microbalance
A Microbalance is a high-precision weighing instrument used to measure very small masses with exceptional accuracy and sensitivity. It is suitable for precise sample preparation, material characterization, and laboratory research.
Disk Polishing Machine
Ultrasonicator Chamber
Magnetic Stirrer
A Temperature-Controlled Magnetic Stirrer is a laboratory instrument used for simultaneous stirring and precise temperature control of liquid samples. It provides uniform mixing and controlled heating, making it suitable for chemical, polymer, and materials research.