Physical and mechanical characterization

Densitometry

Device: comparator system 0.001 mm resolution, laboratory balance 1 mg resolution, dry kiln. Measurement of wood specimen saturated volumes using water displacement principle (Archimedes' Principle). Assessment of specific gravity and basic density.

Measurements of linear shrinkages and fibre saturation point (FSP)

Device: comparator system 0.001 mm resolution, laboratory balance 1 mg resolution, dry kiln, conditioning room and climatic chambers. Standard linear shrinkages are measured from green to ovendried states. FSP is assessed from samples sizes measurements at various moisture content steps.

Wood conditioning rooms and kilns

Most of technological tests on tropical woods and other wood products timber are carried out on samples with stabilized moisture content (standardized conditions). Wood moisture content depends on air humidity and temperature.

Wood samples are stabilized using:

• 3 conditioning rooms (temperature 20°C +/- 2°C and air humidity 65% +/-5%) for wood stabilization at standardized conditions,
• 3 climatic chambers (100 to 800 litres) for more extreme climatic conditions than climatic chambers,
• 2 dry kilns to ovendry wood samples.

Universal material tester

Electromechanical device (strain - displacement) for static tests up to 100 kN capacity. We can achieve following standardized tests:

• Bending tests (standard NF B 51-008),
• Crushing tests (standard NF B 51-007),
• Hardness (NF B 51-013), etc.

Specific can be carried out upon request.

Pendulum impact tester

Device for 10 joules dynamic tests. Standardized test for dynamic bending (NF B 51-009).

Gardner wheel device

To simulate outdoor long-lasting ageing of wood samples from alternative water immersion and UV rays exposure.

Spectrocolorimeter

Datacolor Microflash: to measure chromaticity coordinates (CieLab L*a*b*) and analyse samples colour; quantification of ageing effect.

Non destructive testing

Qualifying performance requires knowledge of numerous characteristics which are long and expensive to measure. The related methods are available on three levels: analysis of acoustic resonances, ultrasonic testing and near-infrared spectroscopy.

• Determination of vicscoelastic properties wood, wood products and materials by acoustic resonance analysis.
• Non-destructive inspection system for evaluating, by acoustic analysis, the mecanical conditiof solid wooden elements in use in a structure.
• Measurement of mechanical properties by ultrasound transmission (50 kHz to 2 MHz)
• Acoustic and ultrasonic tomography : Quantitative transmission imaging of standing trees. Mechanical characterization and detection of internal defects.
• Near infrared spectroscopy: An analytical technique based on the principle of infrared radiation absorption by a biological material. As such absorption is directly related to the surface chemical composition of a sample (solid wood or powder), it is possible to estimate chemical compound contents as well as the physico-mechanical properties of wood.

Physical and rheological properties and of natural rubber

The characterization of natural rubber allows a better understanding of the variability and the elaboration of its quality. The laboratories comprise the conventional analytical pieces of equipment for carrying out the standard analyses (ISO2000 and SMR standards). These laboratories are accredited by the International Rubber Association (IRA, http://intlra.org/).

Available standard analyses (ISO2000 and SMR standards):
• Homogenization on cylinder mixer
• Wallace Plasticity (P0)
• Mooney Viscosity (VM)
• Plasticity Retention Index (PRI)
• Accelerated Storage Hardening (ASHT) Test

These standards also include physicochemical indicators: impurities, volatile matter, nitrogen and ash content.

Other analysis available:
• Quantification of hydroxylamine
• Variable Speed Mooney Viscosity (VM)