Facilities of SASLab

SASLab is constituted of two testing Infrastructures located at the I.T.I.S. Galileo Galilei Via Conte
Verde 51, Rome.

Each infrastructure is dedicated in
specific research fields.

 

Mechanical Tests
The SASLab executes laboratory mechanical tests for material characterization in accordance with the main International Standards (ASTM, ISO, UNI).
The tests are performed using certified equipments with dedicated software. All test results are released
in Technical Reports.
The SASLAb has several mechanical testing machines,
capable to evaluate material properties in a wide range of materials as: metals, composites,
films, textiles, rubber and foams.

 

Thermal Tests
The SASLab has ovens working up to 650 °C. A Climate Chamber working in a temperature range -75 +180°C and in a relative humidity range 10÷98%.
Thermal tensile tests up to 900°C are now also available.

 

Dilatometric Measurements
The SASLab performs dilatometric measurements.
Dilatometer is frequently used to determine the following properties of solid, liquid, powder and paste materials:
� Linear Thermal Expansion (∆L)
� Glass Transition (Tg)
� Phase changes
� Thermal Expansion Coeff. (CTE)
� Rate controlled sintering(RCS)

Dilatometer performances
Temperature range: up 1600 C°
Measurement range: 100÷5000 µm
Vacuum: 10E-1 Pa
Resolution: 0.125 nm/digit

 

Space Environment Tests
For the Space Environment Testing, SASLab has the following Simulators:

SAS (Space Environment Simulator)

The SAS is a vacuum chamber for LEO on ground testing, equipped with two Cryo-pumps.extensive on-ground testing of materials, microsatellites and scaled prototypes of assembled space structures.

 

SAS performances:
Volume: 4.7 m3
Vacuum: 2E-4 Pa
UV Lamps: 25 W/m2

 

The SAS Simulator is also equipped with a Cryogenic Panel in order to simulate the LEO thermal
cycling on aerospace materials.

Cryopanel performances
Dimensions.: 500x300 mm
Temperature range [± 140°C]

 

Mars Environment Simulation

The SAS is also capable to simulate the Mars Environment.
An additional pumping system maintains the pressure at Mars typical value. The chamber is saturated by a mixture of CO2 (95.2%), N2 (2.7%), Ar(1.6%) and O2 (0.5%). The Martian ground thermal cycles are simulated
by using the Cryopanel.

 

AOS (Atomic Oxygen Simulator)

The Atomic Oxygen Simulator (AOS) is a small vacuum chamber developed at SASLab and equipped with a RadioFrequency Plasma Source in order to simulate
the atomic oxygen effect on the space materials in LEO and a UV
source operates in a spectral emittance field ranging between 200 and 600 nm having a maximum emission value of 365 nm.

The atomic oxygen and UV radiation is a harsh damaging factor in LEO Environment for all exposed
surfaces. The atomic oxygen simulation is a fundamental activity since it can reveal the efficiency
of materials and coatings for space application.

 

AOS performances:
Dimensions.:520mmx160mm
Vacuum: 10-5 Pa
AO Flux: 1014÷1016 n.s./cm2·s
Energy: 5÷25 eV
UV Radiant Intensity : 410 mW/cm2 (10 Sun)

 

OTF (Outgassing Test Facility)

In 2007, the SASLab equipped itself with a dedicated facility for Outgassing measurements built in accordance to the ASTM E595 and ECSS Q70-02A standards.
All weight measurement are performed in a Clean Room using a Mettler-Toledo XP26DR balance.

 

Outgassing Facility Characteristics:

The OTF is located in a Clean Room Pwork=10E-5Pa
Samples number = 12
Tsample holders= 125°C
Tcollector plates = 25°C

 

Nanotechnology

In the last five years, the
SASLab Team is worked actively
in the Nanotechnologies sector. The nanotech activities involved in are:
� Synthesis of carbon nanotubes
� Characterization of nanomaterials
� Carbon nanotubes purification
� Polymeric composite reinforced
�Electromagnetic test of nanostructured composite

� Nanostructured coating of C-C composites
� Manufacturing of nanostructured thin film

 

Composite Technology

The SASLab Team works in the composite materials sector and in the advanced structures.
The main technologies (RTM, Filament Winding, Fotopolymerization) are studied through a specific theoretical study followed by an intense experimental activity.
The technological problems associated to the manufacturing of composite structures are analyzed using Certified Software and Facilities.
The composite approach is characterized by the following steps:
� Study of the basic materials (polymers, curing agents, fibers)
� Material compound definition
�Development of the technological procedures

� Numerical and FEM analysis of the designed aerospace elements
� Experimental characterization of the basic materials, composite samples and structures.

The SASLab Team works also in the development of Multigrid Lattice Structures, that may represent the future of aerospace structures (aircraft fuselages, launchers, lattice panels, etc.).
The research in composite finds application not only in the structural sectors, but also in other sectors
such as radars, thermal managements, solid propellant, etc.

 

Electromagentic characterization of composite materials

 

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Testing of Radar Absorbing Materials

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Testing of Microwave Shielding capability of materials
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Testing of large sample to UV radiation environment
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Flammability facility of materials
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