Materials Testing Facility
The Materials Testing Facility is a full-service facility specializing in mechanical material testing for failure analysis and accelerated wear/aging, micro hardness testing, and color analysis.
Our equipment and expertise renders us particularly advantageous for dental research, but we are able to easily generalize our capabilities for other disciplines. You are encouraged to work directly with our staff for your materials analysis needs. We are also available to visit you on site to collect samples and additional information, if required.
Who We Serve
The Materials Testing Facility offers services for:
- UB Students
- UB Faculty
- Researchers at Other Academic Institutions
- Government
- Industry
Technical Capabilities
- Static Mechanical Testing
- Loads of up to 100 [N], 500 [N], 1,000 [N], and 10,000 [N]
- Cyclic Mechanical Loading
- Loads of up to 8 [Kg] and 10,000 [N]
- Chewing Simulation
- Loads of up to 8 [Kg]
- Micro Hardness Testing
- Knoop and Vickers
- Micro Shear Testing
- Finite Element Analysis of Static Mechanical Systems
- Digital Scan Metrology and Manipulation
- Visible Spectrum Colorimetry (reflection)
- Qualitative and Quantitative Techniques
- Small Scale Thermocycling
- Small Scale Laser Welding
- Blue Light Controlled Bonding Room
- pH Testing
- Toothbrush Wear Simulation
- Material Sectioning
- Material Grinding/Polishing
- Basic Wet Chemistry Capabilities
- Basic Optical Microscopy
- Radio Frequency Glow Discharge Cleaning
- Small Autoclave
Services
- Research Study Design and Guidance
- Routine testing of materials for quality control and assurance
- Failure analysis
- Product research, development and testing
- Consultation for analysis strategy
- Facility orientation
- On-site technical assistance
- Remote technical consultation
Rates
Payments can be made through Interdepartmental invoice, check, or revenue transfer.
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| University at Buffalo Faculty | External University Clients | Industry Clients | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab Usage (50% discount for usage after 4hr of continuous use ***Internal ONLY***) | $60.00/hr | $80.00/hr | $200.00/hr |
| Lab Assistance | $45.00/hr | $45.00/hr | $200.00/hr |
| Chewing Simulation | $0.0003/cycle | $0.0004/cycle | $0.0014/cycle |
| Thermocycling | $0.0386/cycle | $0.0488/cycle | $0.2061/cycle |
| MTS Mini Bionix Fatigue | $0.0006/cycle | $0.0008/cycle | $0.0013/cycle |
3D printing | $0.25/ml (+$7.00 setup fee) | $1.00/ml (+$10.00 setup fee) | $1.00/ml (+$50.00 setup fee) |
| Consumables are project specific charges | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Acknowledgements
To demonstrate the importance of this facility to research at UB and aid in the procurement of future equipment and the maintenance of current equipment, we ask users to please acknowledge the Materials Testing Facility in your publications, and to inform the facility director at the time of publication. Thank you for your help.
iLabs (For Scheduling and Billing)
The Materials Testing Facility schedules and bills through iLabs. Log in or sign up for iLabs.
Hours & Location
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. *Users are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment.*
Materials Testing Facility
320/324 Biomedical Research Building
University at Buffalo South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214
Mailing Address:
Attn. Steven Makowka
222 Squire Hall
3435 Main St.
Buffalo, NY 14214
Contact:
Steven Makowka
Research Scientist
Department of Restorative Dentistry
235 Squire Hall
Email: smakowka@buffalo.edu