Testing and product development lay at the heart of our material advances and product solutions. Whether this is within our laboratories, witness testing or ongoing research and development, testing is a major focal point for the group.

Given the numerous considerations to be made when evaluating the suitability of a material, we undertake a number of testing programmes to ensure that the most appropriate material solution is chosen for any given application. The testing/evaluation process can be grouped into two main categories:

Characterisation of Material 
Performance/Application 
    
We firmly believe that continuous and extensive testing is the only way to remain at the forefront of material development and continue to offer solutions that expand production possibilities and improve operating efficiency.
 
 
 
Features

Characterisation of material
A wide range of laboratory scale testing is undertaken to determine the material properties and reaction at given simulated application and environmental conditions.
 
These tests include

ㆍThermal Conductivity 
ㆍDensity 
ㆍCompressive Strength 
ㆍBulk Modulus 
ㆍTensile Properties 
ㆍCoefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion 
ㆍShear Strength

These tests ensure that, in terms of material properties, the most appropriate material is selected for a given temperature and pressure combination.

Performance/application
The material application and fitness for purpose are equally as important as its porperties. It is vital therefore to clarify how the material is to be used so that its 'in field' properties can be evaluated. We routinely undertake performance testing encompassing:

ㆍSimulated Service 
ㆍCoating ring shear 
ㆍHydrostatic compression 
ㆍThermal cycling disbondment 
ㆍJ/S lay simulation 
ㆍImpact strength 
ㆍFatigue behaviour 
ㆍCathodic Disbondment

With this data our engineers are able to predict end of life characteristics and thus determine the ultimate material formulation.